Added details (first version was published at 18:37)
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov 27 /Trend M. Aliyev/
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs make efforts to move the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement forward from the standstill, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told reporters on Tuesday, commenting on the recent visit of the co-chairs to the region.
"Unfortunately, the results of the co-chairs' recent visit to Yerevan do not give any basis for positive talks. Yerevan should abandon its current position, and the status quo must be changed. The unsettlement of the conflict may lead to events developing in an unwanted direction," the Minister said.
He noted that the proposals for the settlement of the conflict are well-known to everyone and were announced and confirmed by the OSCE co-chairs.
"Azerbaijan's position remains the same - the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories is required for the peace process to move forward from the standstill. If the Armenian side says that it accepts the co-chairs' proposals, which were confirmed by the statement of the Heads of State in Akvili, well, then it's time to sign the peace agreement. If it is so, then Azerbaijan is ready to work on the text of the Agreement. Withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories, followed by negotiations on all other items is required," he added.
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.