Baku, Azerbaijan, April 10
By Sabina Ahmadova - Trend:
One must not talk about the intensification of the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told media on April 10.
"There are no changes in the position of the opposite side and no trends are observed," he said.
"In all periods, Baku expressed dissatisfaction with the OSCE Minsk Group's activity," Azimov said.
"The relations between the co-chairing countries are very tense in the current geopolitical situation in connection with Ukraine's events," he said. "I do not believe that while uniting as part of the OSCE Minsk Group, they would thoroughly search for a common position. If there is any visibility through the Minsk Group, it is not in our interests."
Azimov stressed that the recent meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers was ordinary.
"As far as I understand, Armenian foreign minister, as always, adhered to the "position of denial"," he said. "This situation can not suit the Azerbaijani side."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries 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.
translated by NH
edited by CN