AZERBAIJAN DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT PROCESS ACCELERATED

Trend News Agency
Nov 6 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 6 November / Trend News, corr. J.Babayeva /
Azerbaijan Defence Minister Safar Abiyev said that the processes
directed to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been accelerated
and intensified recently.

"If the peace talks will not give results, Azerbaijan will use of
all the possible ways to restore its territorial integrity," the
minister said while receiving General Ilker Bashbug, the Commander
of the Turkish Armed Forces General Staff.

Bashbug paid a visit to Azerbaijan by the invitation of Abiyev.

The minister said that the strengthening of the relations between
Azerbaijan and Turkey on the recent developments, particularly,
combining of efforts on security issues were relevant requirements.

Armenia has occupied 20% of Azerbaijan’s lands including
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding seven regions. The occupation began
in 1988. Azerbaijan lost the Nagorno-Karabakh, except of Shusha and
Khojali, in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian Armed Forces occupied
Shusha, Khojali and Nagorno-KarabakhÑ-s seven surrounding regions. 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, but fruitless negotiations.

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