Russia supports OSCE's Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations: Russian permanent representative to UN

"We support the OSCE negotiation process," Churkin told Trend News on March 30.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 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 the peace negotiations.

"There is a definite format for the negotiations. We believe the only means to reach an agreement is to act vigorously according to this format," Churkin said.

Russia supports resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he added.

/Trend News/