U.S., RUSSIA HAVE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE BREAKTHROUGH IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: AZERBAIJANI DEPUTY MINISTER
Today.Az
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June 22 2009
Azerbaijan
The United States and Russia have good opportunities to achieve
breakthrough in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry believes.
"The issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement is on the
agenda of the United States and Russia. Therefore, it is not excluded
that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed at the U.S. and
Russian presidents’ meeting," Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister
Araz Azimov told journalists on June 22.
Barack Obama will pay an official visit to Russia on July 4-6.
As to the meeting in the "five" format" (co-chairs and presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia), Azimov said this format is discussed
as probability. "The initiative of holding such a meeting has not
been put forward. The meeting in the "five" format can be held if
necessary. It will depend on the decisions of the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, to be made after their meeting," the deputy
minister said.
Azimov said bilateral meetings must be fruitful to put forward new
initiatives in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
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.