Nazarbayev: Armenia should join Eurasia Union without Karabakh

Armenia should join the Russia-led Eurasia Union within the state borders recognized by the UN, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev said, according to Interfax news agency.

"There is an issue that could be decided later. It is not very pleasant for us. But we need to apply what you [Armenia] applied during your accession to WTO [World Trade Organization] in order not to anger our another friend, Azerbaijan. It should be done within the UN-recognized borders," he said at an expanded session of the Supreme Council of the Eurasia Union.

"This is how you joined WTO," Nazarbayev told Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. "Let's discuss it once again in June.” 

Backed by Russia, Armenia captured nearly 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally-recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts, in a war after the Soviet Union's breakup in 1991.

Large-scale hostilities ended with a ceasefire in 1994 but no peace agreement has been signed.

Bakudaily.az