CHINESE GOVERNMENT STATES READINESS TO ASSIST IN RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
July 23 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / Liu Jianchao, a
representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that the
Government of China respect the independence, sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and backs the resolutions of
the UN Security Council regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He
was commenting on the so-called ‘presidential elections’ held in
Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani territory under Armenian occupation.

China hopes that both sides will be able to find the right solution
to the conflict in line with international law. China is prepared to
continue constructive steps jointly with the international community
to resolve the conflict.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus broke
out in 1988 due to the territorial claims of Armenia against
Azerbaijan. Armenia has occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven districts of the country
surrounding it. Since 1992 to the present time, these territories
have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In 1994,
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a cease-fire agreement at which time
active hostilities ended. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (
Russia, France and USA) hold peaceful negotiations.