AZERBAIJANI OFFICIAL: COUNTRY SEEKS ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTIONS TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend News Agency
April 16 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is seeking alternative resolutions to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Socio-Political
Department head Ali Hasanov said.

"Azerbaijan is taking adequate steps in search of an effective solution
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Currently, anti-American propaganda
is primarily directed against the Congress and the U.S. authorities,
supporting Armenian’s aggressive policy," 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 United
States – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.

Hasanov said Azerbaijan has supported the United States in its
peacekeeping mission. The country nearly spoiled its relations with
Muslim countries and took U.S. interests in energy issues into account.

"We have repeatedly told the United States that they are one of
three countries addressing the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. We called on Armenia to be attentive to the issue to overcome
the tough situation. In recent times, the Azerbaijani public, media
and MPs have been frustrated in this sense," Hasanov said.