Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 11 2007
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Stated his Support on Resolution of
Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Azerbaijan, Baku / corr TrendCapital A.Gasimova / Miguel Angel
Moratinos, the OSCE chairman in office, as well as the Spanish
Foreign Minister, met in Madrid with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
involved in the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh and discussed means of resolving the conflict.
Daniel Soto, a spokesman for the Spanish Foreign Minister, said in a
telephone discussion that the meeting was held at the Spanish Foreign
Ministry. Attending the meeting were Foreign Minister Moratinos, OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs- French Ambassador Bernard Fassie, the US
Ambassador Matthew Bryza and the Russian Ambassador.
The talks focused on ways to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
as well as ongoing peaceful negotiations between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. The OSCE chairman-in-office stated it will offer every
assistance to resolve the conflict. Finding a solution to the
conflict will be the focus of discussions during the Spanish
Minister’s forthcoming visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia due on 4-5
June. He will also participate in the meeting with the Armenian and
Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Strasbourg.
The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in
1988 due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia
has occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani land including the
Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since
1992, these territories have been under the occupation of the
Armenian Forces. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire
agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France and USA) are holding
peaceful negotiations.
The Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ are responsible for ensuring peace and
stability in the region. They frequently visit the region, meeting
with the disputing parties to achieve a peaceful resolution to the
conflict, as well as take the necessary measures to restore and
reinforce trust between the conflicting parties. They periodically
prepare reports and give an account to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
Miguel Angel Moratinos, and Spain’s Foreign Minister, who took up
post this year, on what has been achieved.