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Azerbaijani FM: OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to visit Yerevan with proposals

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 4 February 2014 13:15 (UTC +04:00)
Whilst analysing the processes at the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, one can see that the situation remains tense, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said on Feb. 4.
Azerbaijani FM: OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to visit Yerevan with proposals

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 4
By Saba Agayeva - Trend:

Whilst analysing the processes at the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, one can see that the situation remains tense, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said on Feb. 4.

"Azerbaijan supports the continuation of the current negotiations on specific issues," he said. "These issues have been discussed with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen who will leave for Yerevan with a number of proposals."

"If we see the Armenian side showing a constructive reaction, the negotiations may be continued," he added.

The situation on the frontline has remained tense since mid. January.

Most ceasefire violations are being observed in the Fizuli, Agdam, Terter, Goranboy, Khojavand, Jabrail regions, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, Lieutenant-Colonel Vagif Dargahli told Trend earlier.

Dargahli stressed that the number of ceasefire violations has recently increased. There have been over 2,000 incidents since Jan. 21.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group expressed their deep concern over continued violence in the region, and stressed that recent incidents undermine negotiations and diminish the prospects for peace, the OSCE Minsk Group said following a meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandian in Paris.

Use of force will not resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said at press briefing.

"We have seen the reports and regret any loss of life anywhere, but certainly here as well," she said. "And our position remains that the use of force will not resolve this conflict. We call on all parties to refrain from the use or threat of force."

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.

Translated by NH
Edited by SM

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