Azerbaijan, Baku, April 20 / Trend M.Aliyev /
It is time to change the OSCE Minsk Group's co-chair structure, Ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary Ali Ahmedov told journalist today.
Ahmedov said his view is based on the fact that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries have not been able to demonstrate a commitment to settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan's position as a state subjected to occupation is inadequately protected.
"We believe it is time to make changes to the OSCE Minsk Group's co-chair structure. Turkey may be the most necessary and useful candidate to improve and complete this format," Ahmedov added.
As a friendly and fraternal country, Turkey is interested in resolving the conflict in the framework of restoring Azerbaijan's violated rights.
"Theretofore, we hail Turkey joining the process," Ahmedov said.
"The participation of Turkey, which has a great authority in the region, may give great impetus to the resolution of the conflict," Ahmadov noted.
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 United States - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.