Azerbaijan, Baku, February 4 / Trend , A.Huseynbala/
One of the priorities of Azerbaijani-Russian cooperation is to ensure stability in the Caucasus, said the head of the Center for Political Innovation and Technology Mubariz Ahmedoglu in a briefing on the results of January at the press center of the Trend International News Agency.
The first Azerbaijani-Russian forum on humanitarian cooperation held in Baku in January once again testifies the high level of development of relations between the two countries. "Addressing the forum, the Head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Academician Ramiz Mehdiyev noted that Azerbaijani-Russian relations have deep historical roots," said the political scientist.
Comprehensive development of Azerbaijani-Russian relations completely meets the interests of Azerbaijan. "For Azerbaijan, Russia also plays the role of economically effective and large market. However, excessive rapprochement with Russia may cause additional problems," said the head of the center.
One of the notable events in January was the statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding possible solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "The President said that the way of resolving the conflict has already been planned and in the settlement process, the priority is the principle of territorial integrity. The president said there was also agreement on Armenia's implementation of first step in resolving the conflict and Armenia should withdraw from the occupied territories," the political scientist said.
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 seven 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.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]