OPENING BORDERS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA CAN CONTRIBUTE TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT: GERMAN STATE SECRETARY
Trend News Agency
March 31 2009
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, March 31 /Trend News, corr. N.Abdullayeva /
Opening borders between Turkey and Armenia can contribute to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, German Foreign Ministry State
Secretary Gernot Erler briefed the media in Baku on March 31.
"Currently there are two ways to settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. The first one is the talks between Turkey and Armenia,
second one – talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Germany supports
both ways. They both are positive for the region," Erler 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.
Dialogue is the better way of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
than the military way, State Secretary said.
Within his visit, Erler plans to meet with the Speaker of Azerbaijan
Parliament Oktay Asadov, Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and
representatives of opposition parties.