Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 12 /corr. Trend E.Rustamov / The goal
of my visit to Azerbaijan is to discuss with the President, Speaker and Foreign
Minister the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and development of the South Caucasus region,
the special representative of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE (OSCE PA) for
Nagorno-Karabakh, Goran Lenmarker, said on the arrival in Baku.
Lenmarker arrived in Azerbaijan within his tour to South Caucasus. The goal of
the visit is to get familiarized with the current situation with the
negotiations process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. As a result
of visit, a report will be devised, which will be presented during the winter session
of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Feb. 19-20 in Vienna.
"In Azerbaijan there are many refugees, who
want to return to their native lands. The solution of the conflict is very
important for them," said the special representative.
Answering the question whether the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved this
year, the special representative replied that this possible, since the solution
of the conflict is profitable for both countries.
"Time goes, and people wait for the solution from year to year," said Lenmarker.
With regards to the role of Turkey in resoling the conflict,
Lenmarker said that Turkey only helps. "You know that there is a history of
difficult relations between Turkey and Armenia. If Turkey holds negotiations
with Armenia, this can help both countries, including to Azerbaijan," said representative of OSCE PA.
Answering the question how the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved, he replied that there are two principles: self-determination right of peoples and principle of territorial integrity. "I think that it is possible to find a balance between these two principles. Look at the history of Europe, where there were many wars, but finally people found possibility to live in peace. The main fact is that there would be responsible people, who desire to find the solution of problem," said Lenmarker.
Lenmarker refused to comment on the process of negotiations on conflict regulation between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying that the OSCE Minsk Group deals with this issue. But at the same time, the special representative said that he possesses additional information on the data regarding transfer of six regions to Azerbaijan and establishment of temporary government in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7 districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
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