Editor's note.: title was changed, quotes by former MP were added in second and fifth paragraphs (first version was posted at 17:31)
Cyprus, Nicosia, Jan.19 / Trend T. Konyayeva /
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus stands for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through peaceful dialogue, former MP of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mustafa Akinci told Trend.
"We certainly stand for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through peaceful dialogue. The occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia can not last forever," Akinci told reporters in Nicosia on Wednesday.
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.
"No one can help and play a role in the conflict resolution, yet the parties do not want to settle the conflict by mutual consent," said Akinci.
European Union's role in solving conflicts beyond its borders is limited, he said. "The priority for the EU is primarily to resolve internal conflicts on the EU territory," he said.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the United States - 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 and the surrounding regions.