EU rep confirms Armenian occupation

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 20 2006

Baku, April 19, AssA-Irada — “Armenia has indeed occupied Azerbaijan’s
territories,” a European Union representative told a meeting of the
Armenia-EU inter-parliamentary cooperation commission on Wednesday.

Mary Ann Ishler said the most appropriate option at this point is
the one outlined in the document prepared by the OSCE Minsk Group
mediating settlement to the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict. She
said this plan envisions the return of five districts around Upper
Garabagh to Azerbaijan, adding that only after this Garabagh Armenians
could take part in peace talks.

“We are expecting the Azeri and Armenian presidents to sign a relevant
accord,” Ishler said.

Armenians aired their discontent over the statement, claiming that
the Azeri side is ignoring the interests of Upper Garabagh Armenians
and is unwilling to negotiate with them.*