AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN LEADERS PREPARED TO SOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: US CO-CHAIRMAN

Trend News Agency
Sept 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 18 September/ TrendNews, corr R. Novruzov/ Leaders of
Azerbaijan and Armenia are prepared to solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Matthew Bryza, US co-chairman of OSCE Minsk group said.

"US fully support sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
and prepared to help solve the conflict. The agreement should be
reached on the base of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," Bryza
said to journalists in Baku.

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 the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group (Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.

The solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is very important. US is
prepared to assist sides in reaching agreement, Bryza said.

"Azerbaijan can rely on US assistance both in difficult times and in
peace," diplomat said.

This week, US co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group visited the region
of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, held talks with Azerbaijani and
Armenian leadership and discussed the upcoming visit of foreign
ministers of both countries to be held in New York within meeting of
UN General Assembly.

The peace agreement between the two countries should be reached in
a way that we will suit both parties. The agreement should be honest
and accepted by both parties, Bryza said.