''It is wildness that today, in the 21st century, Azerbaijan and Armenia are in a conflict with each other,'' famous singer, People's Artist of Russia Oleg Gazmanov said in an interview with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.
"I think that this is terrible. I have many friends among Armenians and Azerbaijanis. The fact that today, in the 21st century, armed conflicts still take place is wildness. I don't understand how people can be killed without trying to hold negotiations. I have a lot of friends from one and the other country, and I am so sorry to see this. My heart bleeds," he said.
"I believe that these are two very interesting nations with ancient histories. They should negotiate and live together in peace. I was born in the Soviet Union where everybody was brothers,'' Gazmanov noted.
The singer also shared his impressions of trips to Azerbaijan. "Baku is a beautiful city. I have been there many times. Last year I had a concert in Baku. The city is rapidly changing for the better," he said.
At the same time, the People's Artist of Russia was impressed by "the very careful attitude towards the Old Town, the Maiden Tower and all the other buildings in the capital of Azerbaijan." "People are very friendly there. At least I met only people of this kind. I know many Azerbaijanis, including the great, but unfortunately late musicians as Muslim Magomayev and Vagif Mustafa,'' Oleg Gazmanov concluded.
Recall that all the border posts of Azerbaijan on the night of April 2 were subjected to intense fire from large-caliber weapons, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and artillery units of the Armenian Armed Forces. In addition, a number of shots were fired at settlements near the frontline, densely populated by civilians.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts (20% of the Azerbaijan's territory) are still occupied by the Armenian armed forces.
In May 1994 the parties reached a ceasefire agreement during negotiations, which are still continuing under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group and co-chairs Russia, France and the US.
The UN Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions haven't been carried out by Armenia yet.
