NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IS SERIOUS THREAT TO EUROPE: AZERBAIJANI MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Trend
Oct 27 2009
Azerbaijan

The Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a serious threat
to Europe, Azerbaijani Minister of National Security said.

"The Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict poses a serious
threat not only to the South Caucasus, but entire Europe. The conflict
must be solved within the international law," Lieutenant-General,
Azerbaijani Minister of National Security, Eldar Mahmudov, told his
colleague Kircho Kirov during a trip to Bulgaria, the Center for
Public Affairs of the ministry of national security said.

Azerbaijani Minister of National Security, Lieutenant-General Eldar
Mahmudov was on an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of
the director of Bulgarian national intelligence Kircho Kirov.

Major-General Kircho Kirov stressed importance of Azerbaijani Minister
of National Security, Lieutenant-General Eldar Mahmudov’s visit for
security and further development of cooperation between Azerbaijan
and Bulgaria.

Eldar Mahmudov spoke about security in the country, protection of
energy and transportation infrastructure from threats, international
terrorism, illegal trafficking in narcotic substances, as well as
combating with transnational organized gangs and illegal migration,
including the processes occurring in the region.

The issues of bilateral cooperation have been discussed during the
meeting. The agreements in exchange of information and expertise on
issues of mutual concern were achieved.

During his official visit Mahmudov met with Bulgarian Deputy President
Angel Marin and Deputy Prime-Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

During these meetings, two heads highly appreciated development and
expansion of friendly and business relations between the countries.

Discussions on expansion of cooperation in security were held.

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.