Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 2 / Trend , S.Aghayeva/
For 18 years Armenia has hoped that the international community will recognize the independence of the self-declared "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" ("NKR"), but so far no country or international organization has recognized, nor will recognize, this self-proclaimed state; they support Azerbaijan's just position, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Elkhan Polukhov, told Trend on Sept. 2.
"On the contrary, all the countries of the world recognize and support Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and the country's internationally recognized borders," said Polukhov.
It has been 18 years today, Sept. 2, since the day the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" proclaimed independence.
In an address to the Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian community in connection with the 18th anniversary of the proclaimed independence, the "NKR" Prime Minister, Ara Arutyunyan, expressed his hope that the international community will recognize the independence of the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic".
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.