Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 26 / Trend /
The continued occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia may worsen the situation in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev said today.
At a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar, Abiyev spoke about the military-political situation in the region and the problems caused by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He has also stressed the need to strengthen the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to resolve the conflict, the Defense Ministry said.
The sides have exchanged the views on bilateral strategic relations, including the achievements in military cooperation.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent 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 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.