Azerbaijan, Baku, July 12 / Trend, I. Izzet /
Azerbaijan has no other way to liberate its occupied territories except by strengthening its army, Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev said today.
Abiyev was receiving a delegation from the Korean National Assembly, the ministry reported on Friday.
The sides expressed satisfaction with the diverse relations between the two countries and exchanged views on cooperation in the military sphere.
Abiyev informed the Korean guests about the tense military and political situation in the region. As a result of Armenia's aggressive policy, Azerbaijani lands have been under occupation for 20 years.
Despite attempts at a peaceful conflict settlement, Armenia continues to pursue an aggressive policy. According to the minister, the OSCE Minsk Group has yielded no results.
The Korean MPs stressed their interest in the further development of relations with Azerbaijan and stressed the importance of establishing military cooperation between the two countries.
Korean Ambassador to Azerbaijan Choi Suk-Yin attended the meeting.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven 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 peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four U.N. Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
