Azerbaijan to Reconsider Peaceful Settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict if Contradiction Processes to go on in Armenia – Azerbaijani Parliament First Vice Speaker
Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 March / Trend corr. I.Alizadeh / If the clashes, contradictions and public and political actions which occurred in Armenia after the presidential elections continue in this way Azerbaijan will re-consider the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. " Armenia is not interested in the peaceful settlement of the conflict. If the public and political actions in Armenia continue in this way the issue to peacefully resolve the conflict may be re-considered. Under the international right principles, Azerbaijan has the right to restore its territorial integrity through any other way," Ziyafat Askarov, first Vice Speaker of Azerbaijan, stated during the meeting with the delegation on International Relations Committee of MP Chamber of Czechia headed by Yan Khamachek, Committee chairman.
On 19 February, the presidential elections were held in Armenia. Under the results of the elections, declared by the Central Election Commission, Serzh Sargsyanthe current Prime Minister and State candidate collected 52.82% of votes and won the elections. Levon Ter-Petrosan came second with 21.5 votes. Petrosan and his supporters declared that the results of the elections were false and they staged a protest. The rally was dispersed by force on 1 and 2 March. As a result of the rally, eight people died and thousands were injured. The country was put on Emergency status.
Azerbaijan's foreign policy is directed at expanding cooperation with all countries including international organizations.
Touching upon reforms, the first Vice Speaker commented on the steps taken in security and other spheres.
Askarov informed guests about some Bills passed in Parliament and significant steps taken within the foreign policy of the country.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988, due to the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven neighbouring districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement which ended the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding the peaceful negotiations.
