ARMENIA’S NON-CONSTRUCTIVE POSITION CREATES SERIOUS OBSTACLES FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT – AZERBAIJANI DEFENCE MINISTER

Trend News Agency
Feb 12 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 12 February / Trend News corr E. Huseynli /
Armenia’s non-constructive position creates serious obstacles for the
peaceful settling of the conflict, the Azerbaijani Defence Minister
Colonel-General Safar Abiyev said on 12 February when receiving the
US Ambassador Anne Derse.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.

Azerbaijan will never agree with the occupation of its territory,
Abiyev said.

Abiyev called on the international community to use all means to
make the aggressor vacate the occupied land and noted that double
standards are still applied.

Derse reiterated that the United States recognize the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress