Poland concerned over presence of conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

/By AzerNews/

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Europe’s global security depends on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's resolution, said the Polish ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Marek Calka expressed his country's concerns over Armenia's ongoing occupation of Azerbaijan's territories and failures to address the issue by the international community.

"Considering the events in Russia-Ukraine relations, and the relations between East and West, we realize that the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region stands as a precedent in this view," Calka said.

Calka believes that the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis was brought about by one foreign power after it invaded the territory of another - Azerbaijan, for over two decades.

"The conflict first flared up in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has yet to be regulated. The occupation of European land by an illegitimate foreign power has gone on for quarter of a century. This issue is, of course, one of the most painful ones of European policy. At least, it is the official position of the Polish authorities," he added.

Poland's approach towards the protracted problem around the Nagorno-Karabkh region has always been in favor of a peaceful end rather than an armed solution.

Calka further said Europe has witnessed relocation of some nations that fought themselves, and ended up in change of historical borders of the countries. But, further the European countries set unchanged borders.

Much later conflicts emerged in the Balkans and the post-Soviet space, including the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has not yet been solved so far, added Calka.

"Azerbaijan is a leading country in the region. We should build strategic relations with it. Poland will always contribute to the sovereignty and independence of Azerbaijan," he said.

Calka went on to add that as a member of the European Union and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Poland spared no effort within its competence to contribute to the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, pushing forward with political and diplomatic methods.

He expressed Poland's support to the mediation activity of the OSCE Minsk Group, wishing it to be more productive.

"OSCE Minsk Group includes some big players, opinions of which should be reckoned with," Calka said.

"I hope we all will succeed to achieve a solution towards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which will satisfy the belligerents, the people in the South Caucasus and bring peace and stability to the region," he added.

The history of the Azerbaijani-Polish relations dates back to the 15^th century, according to Heydar Aliyev Heritage library.

But modern diplomatic ties between the two countries were established on February 21, 1992, following Poland's recognition of Azerbaijan's independence on December 27, 1991. The Polish embassy has been functioning in Baku since 2001.

Poland stressed its unchanged stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during each presidential visit of both countries, backing Azerbaijan's official position. Polish rulers support a peaceful solution of the knot in Karabakh only under principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, and in the framework of the Charter of the United Nations.

Azerbaijan's internationally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh territory has become a conflict zone following Armenia's aggression in the early 1990s. As a result of Armenia's armed invasion, 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory fell under Armenia's occupation. Nonetheless, the OSCE has attempted to foster a peaceful resolution to this conflict amid Armenia's persistent derailment on peace talks.