Azerbaijan, Baku, March 2 / Trend , S. Agayeva /
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov believes that withdrawal of occupation forces from Azerbaijani territories, restoration of territorial integrity, return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their native lands are main conditions to ensure peace and stability in the region. The minister said at a meeting with the President of European People's Party (EPP) Wilfried Martens, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
At the meeting, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister informed Martens about the processes taking place in the region. The minister highlighted the role of the EU initiative "Eastern Partnership" in cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union.
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.
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.
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