Adopting law on alternative military service depends solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan, Baku, November 20 / Trend A.Huseynbala / Adoption of the draft law on alternative service depends on the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. The bill on alternative service is ready and the Council of Europe experts positively commented on it, the head of the Azerbaijani Parliament's administration Safa Mirzayev briefed the media.

While joining the Council of Europe in 2001, Azerbaijan has undertaken a number of commitments. One of them is the adoption of the law on alternative service. Azerbaijan fulfilled other obligations, except this. The draft law on alternative service is ready, and the Council of Europe commented on it.

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.

According to Mirzayev, next year, the bill will be reconsidered with the working group, after which it will be fully prepared for discussion. However, the adoption of the bill depends on the results of ongoing negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. If the negotiations will not bring to any positive results, the draft will not be submitted for consideration, said Mirzayev.

According to Mirzayev, Azerbaijani military opposes against the adoption of the law. They think that the adoption of this law is premature in a country with war situation, he said.

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