Azerbaijan, Baku, Apr. 3 / Trend , N.Abdullayeva/
The CIS hopes that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be safely resolved, taking into account interests of both countries, CIS Executive Committee First Deputy Chairman Vladimir Garkun wrote to Trend in an email on Apr. 3.
"The presidents of two countries - Azerbaijan and Armenia - are trying to prevent the conflict from re-erupting. It is very important," Garkun said.
A tripartite meeting among the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia in Moscow last November gave a new incentive to intensify negotiations to resolve the conflict, Garkun said. "We hope that conflict will be safely resolved, taking into account the interests of both countries," he added.
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.
The CIS Executive Committee has always stood for peaceful solution of any inter-state conflicts, said Garkun. "War and bloodshed first becomes a tragedy for ordinary people, as a result of any conflict, civilians are killed, hundreds of families remain homeless, and children become orphans. Therefore, any problems and misunderstandings among nations must be dealt with sober mind and political wisdom, and only through negotiation. The CIS Executive Committee is ready to contribute, if necessary," he said.
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