Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 8
By Ilkin Izzet - Trend:
Spanish parliament will adopt a document on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Khojaly genocide and the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands, the leader of Spanish parliament's informal group of friendship with Azerbaijan, Jose Maria Cikio said on Feb. 8.
He made the remarks at a press conference of the Milli Majlis (parliament) of Azerbaijan.
Expressing his regret at Armenia not fulfilling four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijan's occupied territories, the Spanish parliamentarian said that on return to his country, the group members will put forward this issue in the parliament and try to achieve the adoption of a relevant document.
"While in Azerbaijan we got acquainted with the country's realities and its problems. We are ready to provide the necessary assistance to Azerbaijan on behalf of the Spanish parliament," Cikio said. "During a meeting with the Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov we were presented with documents on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Khojaly genocide and Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in general. We will put forward this issue in the Spanish parliament and will make efforts to adopt a document on the Khojaly genocide".
Cikio added that the group members will try to bring Azerbaijan's realities to Spain.
"We need to convey that we should support Azerbaijan in all endeavours, because Azerbaijan takes a fair position. This is a friendly country to Spain. Azerbaijan integrates into Europe and is a leading state in the region. Upon returning to Spain the parliament will be presented with official information about the political, economic and social situation in the country," Cikio stressed.
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 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.
On Feb.25-26, 1992 the Armenian occupation forces together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops stationed in Khankendi committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.
Some 613 people were killed, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people. A total of 1,000 civilians were disabled during the genocide. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both.
Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostages, while the fate of 150 remains unknown.
Translated by E.A.