Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 5 2009

Baltic Assembly adopts declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 5 / Trend News A. Huseynbala /

The Baltic Assembly adopts the declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The delegations of GUAM member-states’ parliaments were invited for
the next session of the Baltic Assembly held in late November," MP Ali
Masimli told Trend News.

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.

Masimli said that as Azerbaijani delegate representing GUAM he made an
address to optimize a model of post-crisis development and cooperation
of countries located near the Caspian, the Black and the Baltic seas.

"Numerous statements and declarations were adopted during the session.
These documents reflect the issues connected with GUAM and
Azerbaijan," MP said.

He said that the most important issue is that the way of the Baltic
Assembly consideration of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Assembly’s declaration on new security appeals was also adopted.

Moreover, ensuring territorial integrity during solving the conflicts
in the territory of GUAM countries was also reflected in the joint
declaration of GUAM and the Baltic Assembly.

It is a very important document in favor of Azerbaijan," Masimli said.

MP said that the delegation of the Azerbaijani parliament raises a
special question on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at all the meetings
of the Baltic Assembly.

"During the session I stressed that we wish that European countries
would hold a simple position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which
is the major problem of Azerbaijan, just as Azerbaijan actively
participates in solving energy security raised on the level of the
national security of Europe. I also reminded that the European
organizations must respect their decisions," he said.

He said that after the issue was repeatedly raised, the Baltic
Assembly’s declaration on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict appeared
during the session. "The document stressed that the conflict must be
solved within Azerbaijani territorial integrity based on the norms of
the international law," Masimli said.

MP stressed Milli Majlis speaker Oqtay Asadov’s very serious imitative
on the active participation of the Azerbaijani parliamentary
delegation in the events.