Trend, Azerbaijan
Oct 22 2009

It is important for Armenia Nagorno-Karabakh conflict talks held on
Madrid principles: deputy FM

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 22 / Trend News U.Sadikhova /

Armenia and Azerbaijan continue talks on resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman
Kirakossian told journalists in Baku on Oct. 22.

"Our presidents have held seven meetings and this is a positive
milestone in the negotiation process. Armenia does not consider this
is non-constructivism. This is a very sensitive milestone to discuss
the principles in the negotiation process and therefore we believe we
are continuing to negotiate with Azerbaijan in a constructive manner,"
Kirakossian said.

Kirakossian is attending a meeting of the Council of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation
(BSEC) in Baku.

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.

According to Kirakossian, it is important for Armenia that talks on
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict solution are held on Madrid principles.
"The negotiations are very sensitive and the parties must reach a
result and an agreement on the main principles proposed by the
mediators. I believe the implementation of the whole process will
start as soon as the agreement on main principles is achieved," he
said.