Azeri FM, MG co-chairs discuss ways of settling Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met Monday with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in Paris, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev told Trend.

The meeting was attended by co-chairs Igor Popov (Russia), Jacques Faure (France), James Warlick (the U.S.) and a OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk.

During the meeting the parties expressed concern over non-settlement of Azerbaijani-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The meeting in Paris discussed current situation in negotiation process on the resolution of the conflict.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov presented the position of the Azerbaijani side, adding that the lack of a constructive approach from the Armenian side is an obstacle on the way of settlement of the conflict, promotion of peace process and the resumption of peace and stability in the region.

Mammadyarov reaffirmed the willingness of the Azerbaijani side to sign a comprehensive peace agreement, and stressed the need of withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories to promote peace.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

ANN.Az