FM: Any initiative on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement is futile until Armenia withdraws armed forces from Azerbaijan’s lands

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 17 / Trend S. Agayeva /

Any initiative on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement will remain at the negotiating table until the Armenian armed forces are withdrawn from the territories of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at a briefing today.

He was commenting on Iran's repeated initiatives on mediation in the issue.

"Azerbaijan at every opportunity raises the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and will continue to do this," he added.

"The co-chairing countries continue working in this sphere, but unfortunately, without result," he said. "Azerbaijan is dissatisfied with the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group."

"Azerbaijan welcomes any initiatives and efforts to resolve the conflict," he said.

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.