OSCE rep hopes for increased efforts in Karabakh conflict’s settlement

Trend:

Ambassador Rudolf Michalka, the newly appointed special representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, has met with Chairman of Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov, Azerbaijani parliament’s website reported.

During the meeting, Michalka said he will try for the OSCE to increase its efforts in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

During the meeting, issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OSCE were discussed.

Asadov noted that Azerbaijan attaches special attention to the development of relations with authoritative international organizations, including the OSCE. He expressed hope that the newly appointed special representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus will make every effort to deepen cooperation.

It was noted at the meeting that important steps are being taken for the development of the East-West as well as the North-South international transport corridors, where Azerbaijan is a participant.

Asadov spoke in detail about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“Unfortunately, during 25 years of negotiations to resolve the conflict, the OSCE Minsk Group has been unable to present a normal document and show a normal solution,” said Asadov. “The OSCE Minsk Group should increase its efforts to resolve the conflict.”

The ambassador said that he is sufficiently aware of the region, Azerbaijan, and the existing conflicts.

At the meeting, the sides noted the importance of expanding relations of Azerbaijan with authoritative international organizations, including the OSCE.

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.