Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.14 / Trend V.Zhavoronkova /
The European Union (EU) recognized the need to respect the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and we want to resolve the conflict peacefully, International European Movement (IEM) secretary general Diego Pinto told journalists in Baku on Aug.14
"The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is very delicate issue and I don't want the relations to be strengthened. I want the conflict to be resolved," Pinto said at a news conference in the Trend Company.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Pinto is on a visit to Baku upon the invitation of the IEM representation in Azerbaijan. Pinto's visit targets to discuss ways of implementing the East Partnership Program, undersigned by Azerbaijan and the EU, and discuss these issues with government and society, to give recommendations to the Government and public organizations on integration into Europe.
Pinto held meetings at the Presidential Administration and the Foreign Ministry and met with leaders of political parties and officials.
The International European Movement was established in 1948. Since establishment of the EU, the IEM has lobbied for further integration, on numerous subjects. In such countries as Azerbaijan, European movement is trying to help in the integration into Europe and become a member of the EU. It worked in favour of the direct election of the European Parliament by all European citizens, in favour of the Treaty on the European Union (the Maastricht Treaty) and also for a European Constitution.
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