Trend, Azerbaijan
Jan 23 2010

Secretary General Amr Moussa: LAS closely observes resolving
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 23 / Trend News U. Sadikhova /

The question of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is always
under consideration of the League of Arab States (LAS). It takes into
account the position of the Islamic Conference and the OSCE Minsk
Group, the Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa said.

"The General Secretariat of LAS has prepared a comprehensive report on
the territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which will be
presented to all members of the LAS to familiarize with the conflict.
A comprehensive cooperation is necessary for peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and ensure the rights of all parties,
Moussa told Trend News.

He said during a meeting with First Vice-Speaker of Azerbaijan Ziyafet
Askerov in Cairo in October, he exchanged views on various aspects of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its causes.

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.

LAS Secretary General considers it necessary to put an end to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which poses a threat to stability and
security in the Caucasus region.

"On this occasion, I call upon the OSCE Minsk Group and its member
states [LAS] to intensify their efforts to reach a peace agreement and
establishment of relations between relevant countries [the parties of
the conflict] and other regional neighbors," Moussa said.

According to the secretary-general, Arab League closely observes the
events in the Eurasian region, including Azerbaijan.

"As a part of the Council of the League a document confirming the
cooperation with the countries of the region and creation of an
economic forum for cooperation between Arab and Eurasian states was
accepted several times," he said.

Speaking about the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the
Arab League, where Azerbaijan has a status of an observer, Moussa
referred to the memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral
cooperation in fields having mutual interest. It was signed during the
visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Cairo in 2007 and his
visit to the main office of the LAS.

According to the Secretary-General, vice-speaker Askerov asked to send
a group of officials and experts of the General Secretariat to assess
the situation around the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

"The proposal remains in force. It is considered by the general
secretariat", Moussa said, adding that he accepted an invitation to
visit Azerbaijan as soon as possible.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress