PROGRESS OBSERVED IN AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN SIDES’ RAPPROCHEMENT IN 2009: ARMENIAN FM
Trend
Jan 18 2010
Azerbaijan
So, 2009 was quite intensive and active process to resolve the Karabakh
conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in an
interview with Liberty radio station, Tert.am reported. According
to Nalbandian, it is important to preserve the last year’s positive
dynamics. It is meaningless to accelerate the process artificially.
The minister said that the progress was observed in the rapprochement
of Azerbaijani and Armenian sides. But it is not enough to speak
about cardinal changes. "If we have an opportunity to maintain this
positive dynamics, which was in 2009, it will be possible to bring
closer the perspective of the conflict’s settlement," he said.
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.