OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs work so that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict sides will accept basic principles: Azerbaijani deputy minister

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 9 April 2009 10:52 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, April 9 / Trend , J. Babayeva/

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are making efforts so that Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict sides will accept basis principles of the resolution, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told reporters on April 9.

"The preparation of more comprehensive agreement will begin once basic principles are accepted. Only after this, talks can be continued and they will become more regular," Azimov said.

He said Azerbaijan will deploy forces in the five occupied regions after they are liberated in an effort o ensure population's security. "Forces of the Minsk Group countries will not participate in the peacekeeping mission in any form. This issue has been coordinated in advance," he said.

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.

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