Switzerland pledges great attention to Karabakh conflict during OSCE chairmanship

Switzerland intends to pay great attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during its chairmanship in the OSCE, chairman of the upper house of the Swiss parliament Filippo Lombardi told journalists in Baku today after a meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

"Next year, Switzerland will chair the OSCE, while Azerbaijan - the Council of Europe," he said. "I discussed the interaction between our two countries during the talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister."

In general, he appreciated the relations between the two countries and stressed that they are constantly developing.

He added that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister's visit to Switzerland in October and Swiss Foreign Minister's visit to Baku, the terms of which is being specified, may contribute to their strengthening.

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/