NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN BE RESOLVED THIS YEAR: OSCE PA SPECIAL ENVOY
Trend News Agency
Feb 12 2009
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 12 /corr. Trend News E.Rustamov / The goal of
my visit to Azerbaijan is to discuss with the President, Speaker and
Foreign Minister the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and development of the
South Caucasus region, the special representative of the Parliamentary
Assembly of OSCE (OSCE PA) for Nagorno-Karabakh, Goran Lenmarker,
said on the arrival in Baku.
Lenmarker arrived in Azerbaijan within his tour to South Caucasus. The
goal of the visit is to get familiarized with the current situation
with the negotiations process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement. As a result of visit, a report will be devised, which
will be presented during the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly on Feb. 19-20 in Vienna.
"In Azerbaijan there are many refugees, who want to return to their
native lands. The solution of the conflict is very important for them,"
said the special representative.
Answering the question whether the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will
be resolved this year, the special representative replied that this
possible, since the solution of the conflict is profitable for both
countries.
"Time goes, and people wait for the solution from year to year,"
said Lenmarker.
With regards to the role of Turkey in resoling the conflict, Lenmarker
said that Turkey only helps. "You know that there is a history of
difficult relations between Turkey and Armenia. If Turkey holds
negotiations with Armenia, this can help both countries, including
to Azerbaijan," said representative of OSCE PA.
Answering the question how the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be
resolved, he replied that there are two principles: self-determination
right of peoples and principle of territorial integrity. "I think that
it is possible to find a balance between these two principles. Look at
the history of Europe, where there were many wars, but finally people
found possibility to live in peace. The main fact is that there would
be responsible people, who desire to find the solution of problem,"
said Lenmarker.
Lenmarker refused to comment on the process of negotiations on conflict
regulation between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying
that the OSCE Minsk Group deals with this issue. But at the same
time, the special representative said that he possesses additional
information on the data regarding transfer of six regions to Azerbaijan
and establishment of temporary government in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.