BELGIUM SUPPORTS RESOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT THROUGH DIPLOMATIC MEANS

Trend
March 31 2009
Azerbaijan

Belgium supports resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through
diplomatic means, Belgian Senator Tilemans Dominique said at a press
conference in Baku on Tuesday.

"The views of the two countries must be heard to resolve the conflict
via compromise. The challenge can be assessed objectively only after
examining the issues," the senator said.

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.

The Belgian delegation began its visit to Azerbaijan on Sunday. The
visit’s aim is to inform the Belgian community about Azerbaijan, as
well as to develop relations between state and public and political
officials.

The Belgian delegation comprises senators Marion Lemesre and Sadyk
Koksal and Belturk newspaper owner Sherif Yavas.

The Belgian delegation met with parliamentary officials, the national
security and foreign ministries, and the State Committee on Work with
Refugees and IDP.

The delegation will also visit the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and
History Museum.