Trend, Azerbaijan
July 10 2009
Turkey’s position is important in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement: state top official
Azerbaijan, Baku, July 10 /Trend News, A.Huseynbala/
The head of the Azerbaijani presidential administration’s department
believes the position of Turkey as a giant country of the region is
important in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.
"We support Turkey’s initiatives on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement. Turkey’s position is important as a giant country of the
region," the Head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration
International Relations Department Novruz Mammadov said in his
interview with the ruling New Azerbaijan Party’s (NAP) Web site on
July 10.
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.
Mmmadov said other countries also perceive importance of Turkey in the
region. "Recently, The United States needs Turkey’s support more to
succeed in the Eurasian processes. Therefore, Turkey’s initiatives
concerning the regional conflicts, including the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem solution must be appreciated," the head of the department
said.