Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 9 /Trend, T.Konyayeva/
Resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be based on the principles of international law, political negotiations, but not on violent methods, said a member of the Senate of France Andre Ville.
"We understand the difficulties that exist at the level of the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a solution to the situation. We are observing some progress in the current situation, mainly due to the fact that Azerbaijan is turning into a powerful state in the region due to its economic development, mainly in the energy sphere. This could help both conflicting sides change their minds and find an acceptable solution," senator Ville told Trend on Wednesday.
OSCE Minsk Group is limited in its opportunities and actions, he said.
"All three co-chairs of the Minsk Group speak only about a common position, which is determined only after debates. It is absolutely unacceptable that one of the co-chairs would state his position, without coordinating it with the other two co-chairs," said Ville.
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 four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
According to the French senator, the Armenian diaspora is well represented in France, and it is not secret that it sometimes tries to influence on the official position of the government. Nevertheless, he said France's position remains unchanged: to help find a peaceful solution to the issue.