OSCE MINSK GROUP IMITATES TALKS: AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION DEPUTY HEAD IN PACE

Trend
Nov 25 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani delegation deputy head in PACE accuses OSCE Minsk Group
of imitating talks to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"Minsk Group has been operating for 15 years. It has failed
to contribute in solving the conflict within this period. It was
busy with making tourist visits to the region. By exerting constant
pressure on Azerbaijan, the international community insists on the
need to solve the conflict within Minsk Group. But Azerbaijan can
not hope for solving the conflict within Minsk Group," Azerbaijani
delegation deputy head in PACE, MP Gultekin Hajibayli told media today.

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.

"Today, the power but not the law rules the world. From this point
of view, ways of solving the conflict are connected with powerful
Azerbaijani state, army and economy, our diplomacy and solidarity of
our people.

We face now and will face with the international organizations’
pressure.

We must be strong to resist this pressure," MP said.