Moscow, Russia, May 12
By Orkhan Yolchuyev - Trend:
Russia sees the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict only through peaceful, political and diplomatic means, based on the internationally recognized documents signed by Baku and Yerevan, Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, told reporters May 12.
The corresponding solution to the conflict should be found based on this international framework, the international legal platform, and by using the political and diplomatic methods, she added.
"We hope it will be so. There is no alternative way, such as, for example, the use of force," said Zakharova.
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 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.