Russia, Moscow / Trend corr. R.Agayev / The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is better to solve within the framework of the CIS, the Russian MP Oleg Kulikov said.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.
"The only way out of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is to reinforce the inter- integration processes which is more close ties in the post-Soviet area. The issue can be settled within the framework of the restored post-Soviet area," Kulikov said.
According to Kulikov, as the issue is beneficial to foreign forces the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict cannot be settled in the near future. Russia is interested in settlement of the issue. However, there are more relevant problems for Russia, including its relation with Ukraine, coolness of ties with Belarus, problems in Islamic world, and many others," the MP said.
" Armenia faces economic difficulties. When the country faces difficulties it attempts to find easier decision like appeal to foreign forces. More close economic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan to make Russia the leader in settlement of the conflict," Kulikov said.
"It is difficult to me to describe ways in resolving the conflict, as no international conflict has been finished positively. In the many cases conflict ends in legitimization of separatist attitudes," the MP said.