Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe have focused on several issues figuring on the agenda of mutual cooperation during a visit of the organization’s top official to Baku.

The bilateral cooperation, Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the Azerbaijan – Serbia ties were discussed during Ivica Dacic, Serbia’s deputy premier, foreign minister and OSCE chairperson’s visit to Azerbaijan on May 31-June 1.

President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Dacic on June 1, AzerTac state news agency reported.

The sides focused on prospects for Azerbaijan-OSCE cooperation, development of Azerbaijani-Serbian bilateral relations in various areas, including in the political, economic, energy, and humanitarian spheres, negotiations to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, situation on the line of contact, delays on the resolution of the conflict and the existence of double standards.

Prior to the meeting with the President, Dacic held discussions with Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan’s foreign minister.

During a briefing after the talks, Mammadyarov said he awaits for tangible progress in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after this visit by Dacic.

“All parties are interested in solving the problem. Minsk Group Co-chair countries are trying to advance the issue. Azerbaijan is ready to fully work on the latest document over the conflict settlement,” Mammadyarov said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions.

The Serbian foreign minister, in turn, said the South Caucasus region is important for the stability of Europe.

Voicing hope that Serbia will be able to contribute to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Dacic said the conflicting sides themselves have great responsibility in the issue of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Reminding that his country itself suffered from a conflict and well understands the severe consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he noted that Serbia has a sensitive attitude toward the territorial integrity of states as well.

He went on to note that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved only though peaceful means and with political will. “It is necessary to comply with the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and avoid double standards.”

Dacic added that Serbia has great experience in eliminating the consequences of war. “Serbia will make every effort to become a mediator in the conflict’s settlement and for resolving further issues.”

Mammadyarov in turn said “the conflict will be resolved sooner or later, there will be various issues that will need settlement and then we will need Serbia’s experience.”

Baku also requested the OSCE chairperson-in-office to raise while in Yerevan the issue of returning Azerbaijani hostages captured in the occupied Kalbajar region.

Dacic, for his part, promised to raise the issue during his meeting with the Armenian leadership. “At the request of Azerbaijan, during the meeting with the Armenian leadership, I am going to raise the issue of the two Azerbaijani hostages and their return in the shortest possible time.”

Armenian forces killed Azerbaijani citizen, Hasan Hasanov and took hostage Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Asgarov in the Shaplar village in the occupied Kalbajar region last July, while they were visiting the graves of their relatives. Following a so-called “judicial process" Dilgam Asgarov was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Shahbaz Guliyev to 22 years in prison.

The sides said they also mulled the issues of bilateral strategic cooperation.

They noted that Azerbaijan and Serbia’s ties in economic, political and humanitarian fields are in a high level. They also exchanged views in the spheres of energy, transport and visas.

Serbia also offered Azerbaijan a visa-free regime. Mammadyarov said Baku supports the Serbian side’s offer adding the issue will be considered.