Details were added (first version was posted at 16:08)
Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 23 / Trend I.Isabalayeva /
Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov accused the international community of holding an unfair position in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.
"Although the UN and the OSCE has been dealing with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for over 20 years, still there is no achievement. When there is a need for energy resources, all need Azerbaijan. But why isn't the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolved? The main reason for this is injustice reigning in the world," Hasanov said speaking at an international conference marking the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan's state independence.
He said everyone is trying to resolve the conflict, but injustice should be eliminated before a settlement.
"They talk about freedom and human rights violations. How can we believe this? So much injustice takes place before the eyes of world. Azerbaijan's greatest natural resource is its people. Democracy and human rights existed in Azerbaijan even 100 years ago. It is not new for us. And what is the attitude towards us? It is very simple to solve the problem. If international organizations are really willing to resolve the problem, there is the shortest way for it: let everyone go away and leave Azerbaijan and Armenia face to face with each other," said Hasanov.
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 and the surrounding regions.