Azerbaijani parliamentary speaker: Opportunities still exist for peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict

Incidents occurred on the frontline in early April once more proved that Azerbaijan can settle the problem by other means. However, we think there still exist opportunities for peaceful settlement of the conflict within the territorial integrity and international laws. For this purpose, the international organizations and separate states should increase the efforts”, Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov said at the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Malta George William Vella, APA reports.

He noted Armenia continues to conduct aggressive policy ignoring the resolutions and decisions by UN Security Council and OSCE. According to the speaker, Armenian armed forces fire on civilians, residential and public buildings on the frontier regions.

George William Vella stressed the ceasefire must be obeyed, noting he supports just settlement of the conflict within the international laws. Speaking about works carried out by the OSCE, he assessed the negotiations process as a solution of the conflict.

Recall, on the night of April 2 all frontier positions of Azerbaijan were exposed to heavy fire from large-caliber weapons, mortars, grenade launchers and guns. In addition, Azerbaijani settlements near the front line, densely populated by civilians, were shelled.

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% of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US, are currently holding peace negotiations.

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