INTERNATIONAL ALERT READY FOR ASSISTING SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM

Trend
July 14 2009
Azerbaijan

International Alert organization is ready for assisting settlement
of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"Settlement of South Caucasian conflicts is very important not only
for this region but for entire world. International Alert is ready for
assisting settlements of conflicts," director of organization program
on Asia and Eurasia Phil Champaign said during round table Future of
Karabakh – future of peacemaking initiatives in Baku on July 14.

International Alert operates in 20 world countries and deals with
settlement of conflicts. But South Caucasus represents special interest
for the organization, Champaign said during round table organized
in strategic research center under the Azerbaijani President with
participation of politicians, Azerbaijani MPs and experts.

"We hope that certain progress will be achieved in settlement of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the nearest future," expert 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.