Azerbaijani FM:'Armenian leadership not interested in resolving Karabakh conflict'

The policy of ethnic cleansing and occupation cannot be accepted by the modern international community, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev told Trend on Wednesday.

Apparently, the Armenian minister once again uses rhetoric advantageous to the circles he is representing, Abdullayev said while commenting on statements made by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian that Baku is trying to blackmail delegations visiting Azerbaijan, seeking unilateral statements on the Karabakh issue.

He said there is no doubt that the Armenian leadership is not interested in resolving the conflict.

This kind of expressions show neglect of international law and disrespect for the opinion of the international community, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

"It is absurd, when having occupied foreign territory, committed ethnic cleansing against the indigenous Azerbaijani population in these territories, the Armenian authorities contrive to speak without a twinge of conscience of the principles of international law," said Abdullayev.

He said Azerbaijan not only in words but in practice has proved its commitment to and respect for international law and its principles in all its approaches to conflict resolution.

Abdullayev believes that instead of being nervous because of the increasing importance of Azerbaijan in the international arena, Yerevan should learn a proper lesson and be constructive and peaceful in its approach to the conflict resolution.

Baku is trying to blackmail delegations visiting Azerbaijan, seeking unilateral statements on the Karabakh issue, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said at a news conference in Yerevan, the Armenian media reported.

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 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.


/Trend/