Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 28 / Trend E.Mehdiyev /
Efforts will increase on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2013, Azerbaijani Parliament Deputy Speaker Bahar Muradova believes.
"Despite the fact that in this year there were hopes for better results in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, no results were achieved. From this point of view 2012 can be characterised as a negative year over this matter. However, I am hopeful for an increase of efforts in this direction in 2013 as it is the official policy of both co-chairs and countries involved in the process and Azerbaijan shows the possibility of more active efforts in this direction next year," Deputy Speaker Bahar Muradova told journalists on Friday.
She said in any case, this activity will be manifested by the Azerbaijani side and the country will take steps for more regular discussion of the problem and a change of the status quo by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by membership in the UN Security Council.
"2012 was a very successful year in the history of Azerbaijan because the political, economic and social life of the country, as well as the policy pursued by Azerbaijan in the international arena, was memorable with significant success. We achieved this success as a result of policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, who ensured success this year.
"As a result of the Azerbaijani people's support for this policy, a single overall will was expressed to resolve the problems facing the country and to the correct organisation of work in all directions. I believe that along with the fact that 2012 is remembered in Azerbaijan as being successful in all spheres of life, it will also be a means to achieving even greater success in the coming years and become the foundation for this success, " she said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent 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 the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions regarding the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.