Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 15
By Seba Aghayeva – Trend:
The authority of GUAM increases year by year, more and more countries and international organizations are interested in cooperation with the organization, said Valeh Alasgarov, vice-speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament.
Alasgarov made the remarks during an opening of the ninth session of the Parliamentary Assembly of GUAM, the organization for democracy and economic development.
GUAM plays an important role in ensuring regional security, he said.
The vice-speaker noted that GUAM also contributes greatly to the development and strengthening of dialogue between the countries of the region.
Transnational projects, which are being implemented by GUAM countries, ensure energy security of Europe, added Alasgarov.
He also touched upon the conflicts existing in the GUAM area.
Alasgarov said that member countries have a common position on this, and oppose conflicts.
“We are confident that these efforts will give results and all conflicts will be resolved in line with international norms and principles,” added Alasgarov.
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.