AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER: NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT POSES SERIOUS THREAT FOR EUROPEAN SECURITY
A. Huseynbala
Trend
May 11 2010
Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a serious threat for security in both
the region and Europe, speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament said.
"The occupation of our lands by Armenia poses a serious obstacle
in the development of Azerbaijan", speaker of the Azerbaijani
Parliament Oktay Asadov said at a meeting with a group headed by
Azerbaijan-Switzerland friendship group head of the Swiss Parliament
Christine Egerszegi-Obrist.
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.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions
on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied
territories.
Asadov said that the German Bundestag and the Parliament of Italy
confirmed that Armenia is an aggressor.
"At the moment, the British Parliament, is preparing a similar
document. We thank Switzerland for its support for the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan in resolving of the conflict. I would like
the Swiss parliament to adopt a document too," speaker said.
He said that friendly relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan
are constantly developing and the leaders of both countries play an
important role in it. "The negotiations conducted by the presidents
and chairmen of the parliaments, the agreements concluded between the
two countries give results. We hope that your current visit will also
give impetus to the development of relations between our countries,"
Asadov said.
Christine Egerszegi-Obrist said that Switzerland is concerned over
stalling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.
"This conflict is a threat to security not only in the region, but
also in Europe. The problem must be resolved fairly and as quickly
as possible", she said.
Today, members of Azerbaijan-Switzerland Friendship Group have launched
the visit to Baku.