Baku backs full format of OSCE MG to foster Karabakh peace process
By Amina Nazarli
Baku backs transition of the OSCE Minsk Group, established to mediate for peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to activity in full format.
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov made the statement while talking to ANS TV channel.
“With transition of the Minsk Group to activity in full format and holding meetings in full squad, we will achieve another tool for increasing the international community’s pressure on Yerevan,” he said.
Armenia's territorial claims in the late 1980s accompanied with bitter military aggression resulted in the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh, and seven surrounding regions. More than a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs in the aftermath of the war between the two South Caucasus republics.
Azimov believes that Armenia feels comfortable with the current format of the MG. “Overall, the international community get little information about the conflict, little pressure is placed on Armenia. That’s why it is not suitable for us,” he said.
He noted that the talks carried out within the mandate of the OSCE MG co-chair countries - France, Russia and the U.S.- mainly serves to the interest of these three states.
“When the relations between the United States and Russia strain, we can feel the same within the Minsk process,” he said, noting the importance of resuming the activity of Turkey, Germany and Sweden within the MG.
Peace talks, mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. through the OSCE Minsk Group, are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs, dubbed the Madrid Principles.
However, the negotiations have been largely fruitless so far despite the efforts of the co-chair countries for over 20 years.
Azimov, commenting on Russia’s weapon supply to Armenia, said the military-political alliance of Russia and Armenia does not surprise anyone.
The two countries have a long-term contract and under this deal, Russia keps its military presence in Armenia, bring new weapons to the country and keeps it under its focus, he said.
Noting that Russia ensures the air defense of Armenia and observes the borders of this country, he said that 70 percent of Armenia’s economy is owned by Russia.
“Russia backs Armenia inside its territory and inside the territory of Armenia, However, in case the war broke, Azerbaijan will be fighting in its territory. Azerbaijan, being in its territory, rightfully will defend itself and take steps for defending its territorial integrity. In this case, from a legal point of view, Russia’s joining the conflict from Armenian side is illegal,” he said.
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