Azerbaijan, Baku, October 12 / Trend News A. Huseynbala /
The union including Azerbaijani opposition parties will hold next Karabakh forum.
"There is necessity in next broad discussions taking into account that the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia will delay settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," chairman of Azadlig party represented in the Union for Democracy, Ahmed Oruj, told Trend News on October 12.
Armenian and Turkish foreign ministers Edward Nalbandian and Ahmet Davutoglu signed Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich on October 10.
Turkey and Armenia achieved the agreement to launch 'internal political consultations' concerning signing of 'Protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations' and 'Protocol on development of bilateral relations' during the talks under Switzerland's mediation late August, Turkish foreign ministry said in August.
Oruj said that major topic of discussions at the forum to be held on October 19 will be the way of these protocols' conformity with Azerbaijani interests. "We think that if the border is opened and despite Turkey's efforts, there will be no serous changes in solving Nagorno-Karabakh problem within Azerbaijani territorial integrity," chairman of the party said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a national problem. Thus, they want representatives of all opposition parties, as well as ruling party and the government to participate in this forum, Oruj said.
"So, we will send invitations to the Azerbaijani foreign ministry and presidential administration," he said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7 districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
The Union for Democracy was established by opposition parties the Classic People's Front, Azadliq and the National Democracy after parliamentary elections in 2005. The Great Azerbaijani Party and the National Party joined the Union in September and November 2008 respectively. The union is an agency of cooperation and consultation.
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