LACHIN PATH SHOULD BE OPEN FOR BOTH SIDES: AZERBAIJANI FM

Trend
Oct 1 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani government considers that the Lachin corridor should be
opened for both Azerbaijan and Armenia. It can not be granted for
only Armenia.

"The Lachin path is very important for Azerbaijan and we cannot
agree upon its use only by Armenia. This is impossible," Azerbaijani
President’s special envoy for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
Deputy Minister of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov told
journalists on Oct.1.

"We have heard repeatedly that Armenia intends to liaise with
the Armenian community of the Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin
corridor. This road is also important for the Azerbaijanis and we
cannot accept its one-sided use," Azimov said.

Ankara shares the same position. Earlier Turkish Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davudolgu proposed to allow both sides to use this corridor,
considering it to play an important role in the development of
relations among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia.

The issue on Lachin corridor will be discussed during the OSCE Minsk
Group’s next visit to the region, Azimov added.

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.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress