POLAND BACKS SOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT WITHIN AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

Trend News Agency
Feb 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Poland supports solving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with preservation
of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Polish Deputy Foreign
Minister Andrzej Kremer said at a meeting with Azerbaijani Parliament
Vice-Speaker Valeh Alasgarov on Feb. 4. Kremer is visiting Baku.

Alasgarov informed the guest about the structure and activities of
the Azerbaijani Parliament, country’s economic reforms, oil strategy,
current situation in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and other issues, Parliamentary press service said in a message.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

Alasgarov stressed the need to intensify cooperation in order to
enhance intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary relations between
the two countries. There is great potential for the development of
relations between Azerbaijan and Poland. The Parliaments can make a
significant contribution to this field, said Vice Speaker.

The officials touched upon Azerbaijan’s role in the energy security
of Europe, global-scale oil and gas projects initiated by Azerbaijan,
prospects to develop relations.