Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has reaffirmed his country's position on the issue of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Mammadyarov told journalists that the negotiations were on-going.
The head of Azerbaijani diplomacy said that whilst Azerbaijan's position was very constructive any concessions will have to be made within the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. However, the Minister added, the issue of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh was not one that should be resolved at the moment. Instead he said that the sides should agree on a disengagement of forces, displaced persons should be allowed to return home, and all land transport links should be opened. This means that Armenia should withdraw from the seven districts around Nagorno-Karabakh which it occupies, the Minister said.
Mammadyarov added that after that Azerbaijan will open all roads and communications. "We will try to gradually establish normal relations in the region", the Minister said.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said that negotiations were going on on this basis. "I can say that the co-chairs [of the Minsk Group] and the Azerbaijani side are taking steps in this direction. What remains is for Armenia to do soo to, and sooner or later this will happen", the Minister added.
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
