Russia, Moscow, 28 March / Trend corr. R.Agayev / Armenia is satisfied with the work of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and does not agree with the possible initiative of Azerbaijan on change of the composition. "I believe co-chairs work excellent. I do not think that Azerbaijan has right to appeal to dismiss Minsk Group composition," Vardan Oskanian, the Armenian Foreign Minister, stated to Trend in Moscow on 28 March.
Azerbaijan appealed to OSCE Secretariat in Vienna to dismiss the Minsk Group composition. According to the media, the reason for appeal became dissatisfaction of the Azerbaijani Government connected with OSCE member-countries including Russia, France and the United States voted against the Resolution on Situation in Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan adopted during the session of UN General Assembly on 14 March. There are other mechanisms in appointment of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, according to Oskanian. "These country-co-chairs must themselves decide to change their representatives or not," the Armenian Minister said. The conflicting sides have been cooperated with Minsk Group co-chairs for long time.
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 official representatives from Moscow and Washington expressed reaction to Baku's initiative to study appointment and withdrawal OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs procedure. Representatives expressed support to Minsk Group co-chairs and noted efficiency of their activity.