US doesn't recognize "independence" of occupation regime in Karabakh - State Department

The United States, along with the rest of the international community, does not recognize the "independence" of the occupation regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, Mark Toner, Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, said May 6.

"Nagorno-Karabakh's final status will only be resolved in the context of a comprehensive settlement", he stressed.

He also said, that the US urges the sides to come to the negotiating table in good faith in order to reach a settlement that achieves those goals.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

/By Trend/