Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 23 / Trend U. Sadikhova /
The question of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is always under consideration of the League of Arab States (LAS). It takes into account the position of the Islamic Conference and the OSCE Minsk Group, the Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa said.
"The General Secretariat of LAS has prepared a comprehensive report on the territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which will be presented to all members of the LAS to familiarize with the conflict. A comprehensive cooperation is necessary for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and ensure the rights of all parties, Moussa told Trend .
He said during a meeting with First Vice-Speaker of Azerbaijan Ziyafet Askerov in Cairo in October, he exchanged views on various aspects of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its causes.
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.
LAS Secretary General considers it necessary to put an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which poses a threat to stability and security in the Caucasus region.
"On this occasion, I call upon the OSCE Minsk Group and its member states [LAS] to intensify their efforts to reach a peace agreement and establishment of relations between relevant countries [the parties of the conflict] and other regional neighbors," Moussa said.
According to the secretary-general, Arab League closely observes the events in the Eurasian region, including Azerbaijan.
"As a part of the Council of the League a document confirming the cooperation with the countries of the region and creation of an economic forum for cooperation between Arab and Eurasian states was accepted several times," he said.
Speaking about the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the Arab League, where Azerbaijan has a status of an observer, Moussa referred to the memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in fields having mutual interest. It was signed during the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Cairo in 2007 and his visit to the main office of the LAS.
According to the Secretary-General, vice-speaker Askerov asked to send a group of officials and experts of the General Secretariat to assess the situation around the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
"The proposal remains in force. It is considered by the general secretariat", Moussa said, adding that he accepted an invitation to visit Azerbaijan as soon as possible.