Azerbaijan, Baku, 26 September/ Trend , corr R. Novruzov/ European Commission says Turkey can contribute to the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. ї Turkeyїs initiative to create Platform of Security and Stability in the Caucasus is very interesting and can help solve conflicts in the region,ї Alan Vaddams, head of Baku office of the European Commission said to Trend .
He said Turkeyїs proposals are worth considering. їI hope that OSCE Minsk Group will be able to solve long-drawn conflicts through Turkeyїs initiative,ї diplomat said.
Armenia has occupied 20% of Azerbaijanїs lands including Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding seven regions. The occupation began in 1988. Azerbaijan lost the Nagorno-Karabakh, except of Shusha and Khojali, in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian Armed Forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and Nagorno-Karabakhїs seven surrounding regions. 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, but fruitless negotiations.
OSCE Minsk Group also commends Turkeyїs support for the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
їTurkeyїs support for the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is good, but support is one, but mediation is another thing,ї Bernard Fassier, French co-chairman OSCE Minsk Group said during his visit to Baku.
In mid-September, Russia and Turkey began realization of plan on establishment of Platform of Security and Stability in the Caucasus for five countries including Azerbaijan, Russia, Georgia, Turkey and Armenia.
The platform indicates Turkeyїs willingness to accelerate resolution of land disputes in the Caucasus between Armenia and Turkey and Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The correspondent can be contacted at: [email protected]