Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting with the head of the Caucasus Muslims, the spiritual leader of Azerbaijan Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, who was in Yerevan at the meeting of the Presidium of the Interreligious Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II.
As press service of RA president told Armenpress, Armenian president praised the role of inter-religious harmony in the world, highlighted the development of tolerance in the region and expressed his conviction that religious leaders can play an important role in this matter. Serzh Sargsyan hailed on the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region through dialogue and efforts between Allahshukur Pashazade and Garegin II.
Caucasus Muslims Head Pashazade noted that religious leaders encouraged every step towards peace. He expressed the hope that thanks to the efforts of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be possible to reach a solution, so that the spiritual leaders of both countries are ready to assist. He stressed that not once in his discussions on this subject with the President of Azerbaijan noted that the war can not be a solution to the problem.
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.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.