Azerbaijan, Baku, April 1 / Trend E. Mehdiyev /
Azerbaijani side wants the OSCE Minsk Group to put pressure on Armenia and take measures to force Armenia to peace in order to achieve peace in the region. This was told the official website of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party by the NAP Deputy Executive Secretary, MP Mubariz Gurbanli on Monday.
"Unfortunately, the Minsk co-chairs, as intermediaries, allow the postponement of this issue's resolution," MP said.
Alongside, Gurbanli stressed the importance of continuing the process of negotiations and noted Azerbaijan's continuous involvement in the process.
According to him, despite many provocative steps undertaken by Armenia, Azerbaijan patiently remains involved in the negotiations.
NAP Deputy Executive Secretary said there was a need for a visit of co-chairs in the region in the context of the recent downturn in the negotiation process.
Touching upon the issue of Khojaly airport, Gurbanli noted that it was another trick of Armenia.
"Armenia does not need the Khojaly airport. Opening flights between Yerevan and Khojaly is of no significance neither economically nor from a different perspective. In case of opening the flight, there will be no major outflow and inflow from Yerevan to Khankendi and vice versa. The statement on the opening of this flight is just another Armenian provocation," he added.
According to him, Armenia wants to divert attention from other problems and direct the efforts of both international and Azerbaijani diplomats to the issue.
"Alongside, by putting the issue on the agenda, the Armenian side is trying to further provoke Azerbaijan and benefit from steps to be taken by Azerbaijan in case of opening the airport. Azerbaijan is perfectly aware of all this and openly states its position," he added.
He emphasized that regarding this issue, there is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as international law norms.
"While this is not adhered to, the opening of this flight will be considered illegal. International organizations, co-chairs and certain states have criticized Armenia's attempts. At the same time, the co-chairs should demonstrate a particular position. Armenia should know that this provocation will turn against it," he added.
According to information released by the Armenian media, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of Armenia will permit civil aircraft flights in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Head of the General Administration of Civil Aviation Artyom Movsisyan did not name the specific date, however, according to him, the flights will be served by a 19-seater Armenian aircraft, and duration of flights will be 45-50 minutes.
Earlier, Armenian media reported on the intended commissioning of the airport in Khojaly in the near future.
The commissioning of the airport is an open violation of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (adopted on December 7, 1944 in Chicago), the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported earlier.
Azerbaijan will strengthen the legal level use of the application of the Chicago convention.
Azerbaijan banned the use of the airspace over Nagorno-Karabakh occupied by Armenia, as no one can guarantee safe flights in the area, the Azerbaijani Civil Aviation Administration said earlier.
According to Azerbaijani Civil Aviation Administration, Armenia's steps towards the operation of the airport are attempts to violate international aviation law.
This air space belongs to Azerbaijan, so its use by Armenia is illegal.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ICAC) also support the position of Azerbaijan on this issue.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries 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 the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.