Azerbaijani opposition parties condemn OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs for support to Armenia's position concerning settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem

"Countries who mediated in solving this problem did not make any actions to stop Armenia. On the contrary, under pretence of solving the problem, they use open pressure directed to get Azerbaijan to accept occupation and give consent to legal procedures to grant independence to Nagorno-Karabakh," statement adopted at Karabakh forum held on the initiative of the Union for democracy said.   

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7 districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.

"Co-chair countries  using Karabakh problem fight for influence in a region where Azerbaijan is located. This fight is accompanied by violation of Azerbaijan’s rights. Settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible within Azerbaijani territorial integrity and in accordance with international principles,” the statement said.

Union for Democracy was established by opposition parties Classic People's Front, Azadliq and National Democracy after parliamentary elections of 2005. Great Azerbaijani Party joined the union in early September 2008 and National Party in November. The union is body of cooperation and consultation.

/Trend News/