Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 9 2012
Azerbaijan, France discuss regional issues
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 8 / Trend /
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on Saturday received a
delegation led by the Director of the French Foreign Ministry’s
Continental Europe Department, Eric Fournier.
During the meeting, Mammadyarov shared his impressions of the OSCE
Ministerial Council held on December 5-7 in Dublin. According to the
minister, the further development of cooperation with the European
Union is particularly important to Azerbaijan. The meeting also
discussed relations and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan
and NATO.
Mammadyarov informed the guest about the regional projects and noted
their importance for the region and Europe.
Concerning security issues, Mammadyarov said that in its foreign
policy Azerbaijan gives preference to national interests, and has
mobilized all its power to strengthen the independence. According to
him, the main obstacle to the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is the presence of the Armenian armed
forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The Foreign Minister
said that starting the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan would open opportunities for the conflict
settlement. He also noted that in the context of conflict resolution
it is necessary to organize meetings between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian communities of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The parties also discussed other regional issues.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 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 the 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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