Caucasus Muslims’ head: Interconfessional dialogue will help to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (PHOTO)

Kazakhstan, Astana, May 30 / Trend D.Mukhtarov /

Head of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade sees the solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in interconfessional dialogue.

"I consider it expedient to solve the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh not only in bilateral negotiations, but also at the level of inter-religious dialogue", Pashazade said on Wednesday, speaking at the IV Congress of world and traditional religions in Astana.

He said the Nagorno-Karabakh problem hinders the development of the entire Caucasus region.

"Heads of States under international mediation continue talks on this protracted conflict, which hinders the overall development of the region. But for success of the negotiations aimed at peaceful and just resolution of conflict a constructive spirit and interfaith dialogue are needed," Pashazade said.

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.

Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az