Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan.10 / Trend /
Azerbaijan is of great interest for Finland both in terms of bilateral relations and international cooperation, Ilkka Kanerva, head of the Finnish delegation to the OSCE PA said at the meeting with Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
A striking example for this is Azerbaijan's non-permanent membership in the UNSC. Azerbaijan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2012-2013.
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister informed the Finnish MPs on political and economic successes of the country which became a bridge between Central Asia and Europe, playing an important role in ensuring energy security of Europe.
Mr Khalafov also informed the MPs on the negotiation process on resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Unresolved conflict creates problems for the security and development of the whole region, Mr Khalafov said. He stressed that Armenia shows unconstructive position, disrespect of international law and principles, and the OSCE Minsk Group turns blind eye on it, which is inadmissible.
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.