Russia, Moscow, 28 March / Trend corr. R.Agayev / The issue on recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by Armenia was not included into the agenda in Yerevan, Vardan Oskanian, the Armenian Foreign Minister, stated in Moscow on 28 March.
"It may depend on the concrete steps of Azerbaijan during the next weeks or months and concrete steps to provide rights of population of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determine and security," Oskanian said to Azerbaijani journalists.
"If Azerbaijan will continue to hold negotiations on the ground of existing OSCE document, then there will not be need for Armenia to reconsider its policy on this issue. However, if Azerbaijan will refuse or dismiss this document and undertake any actions, then Armenia will reconsider its policy and approach to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Oskanian 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.
In May 1994, the sides reached a ceasefire agreement and fruitless peace negotiations have been held by OSCE Minsk Group through co-chairmanship of Russia, France and United States so far.