Baku, Azerbaijan, July 12
By Anakhanum Idayatova - Trend:
Intensification of negotiations on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will lead to a major breakthrough in the conflict’s settlement in the near future, Sergey Markov, Russian president’s confidant, member of the Russian Public Chamber, told Trend in Baku July 12.
Markov, who is also a political analyst, added that the frequent meetings and negotiations of the world leaders can result in de-occupation of Azerbaijani territories in exchange for unblocking Armenian borders.
“Armenia will withdraw from territories around Nagorno-Karabakh and the first Azerbaijani families will be able to return to their ravaged houses this year,” Markov said.
The expert stressed that the intensification of diplomatic contacts testifies that real, intensive negotiations are being held.
“Azerbaijan and Armenia will sign an agreement soon,” he believes. “The details of the reconciliation are being discussed.”
“Ankara will also be able to bring a positive factor to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’s settlement following the Russia-Turkey reconciliation,” he added.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
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