CO-CHAIRMEN OF OSCE MINSK GROUP MUST END THEIR IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENTS: CHAIRMAN OF AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT

Trend News Agency
Nov 19 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 19 November /corr. Trend News I.Alizade / The
Chairman of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Ogtay Asadov, calls upon the
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group that mediates between Azerbaijan
and Armenia in the solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to end the
irresponsible statements, which complicate the solution of the problem.

"The irresponsible statements of some co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk
Group create concerns and do not serve the solution of the conflict,"
Chairman of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Ogtay Asadov, said at the
meeting with the delegation headed by the permanent representative
of Greece to the OSCE, Ambassador Maro Marinaki.

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 currently holding peaceful negotiations.

The French co-chairman of the Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier, said
during his visit to Armenia that "the Nagorno-Karabakh people exist,
and the participation of Nagorno-Karabakh as a side in the negotiations
is important".

Asadova said that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict prevents the economic
revival of the region and realization of global projects.

"We are the supporters of the solution of conflict on the basis of the
principles specified the Charter of the United Nations, Final Helsinki
Report. Armenia continues to disregard documents and principles,
accepted by the international organizations on the conflict," said
the Speaker.

Asadov hopes that Greece, which will soon be the co-chairman of
the Minsk Group, will objectively approach the question, will make
efforts for the valid solution of the problem within the framework of
the territorial integrity of the countries, in accordance with the
international rules of law. Asadova stated that Azerbaijan attaches
great significance to support of Greece in the integration into the
Euro-Atlantic structures.

In his opinion, there are large possibilities for the co-operation
of the two countries in the economic, cultural, humanitarian
spheres. "Azerbaijan became one of the attractive countries in
South Caucasus for the investments and continues to make its worthy
contribution to strengthening of energy security of Europe," added
the Chairman of Parliament.

Ambassador Marinaki said that in the solution of regional conflicts,
Greece attaches great importance to the principle of the territorial
integrity of the countries.