Updated after 5th paragraph
Greece, Athens, December 1 / Trend , E.Huseynov /
Co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group are likely to make the next visit to the region of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by the end of the year, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov briefed the media in Athens on Dec. 1.
"We need to intensively continue negotiations," said the Minister. He also stated that during their visits to Baku and Yerevan, the OSCE Minsk co-chairmen from Russia, France and the United States will discuss the next meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"Dynamics is felt in the negotiations," Mammadyarov said, commenting on talks of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as foreign ministers of France, Russia and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State held in Athens on Dec. 1.
"It is not accidental that the joint statement after the meeting refers to the statement by the presidents of three countries - the OSCE Minsk co-chairmen, which was adopted in Italy during the last G8 summit." We still have a lot of work for the next year. But the desire to intensify the negotiations is felt and welcomed. In this case, through approaching positions, we can at least make a decision on the basic principles in order to open a way for signing a comprehensive peace agreement," said Mammadyarov.
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.
According to Mammadyarov, the topic of negotiations is the liberation of all occupied territories, returning refugees to their homes, opening transport communications.
According to him, the talks in Athens did not focus on the fundamental documents of settlement. "We talked about in what manner to continue negotiations.
And the work on the fundamental document last time was done in Munich at the level of presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. And based on this meeting, the co-chairmen made their proposals," said Mammadyarov.
According to the Azerbaijani foreign minister, during their next visit to the region by the end of the year, the co-chairmen should compile certain schedule for the next year.
He also appreciated the recent intensification in the negotiation process. "The more intensive negotiation process will be, the more points of contact can be found. And it is very useful for advancing negotiations with the fact that we came to the conclusion of the basic principles and then access to the conclusion of a large comprehensive peace agreement," said Mammadyarov.
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