Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Afghan Ambassador to Azerbaijan has voiced his country’ support to Azerbaijan’s position over the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"From the very beginning of this tragedy it was obvious that this is naked aggression. On the one hand, we see the aggressor, on the other hand – the protecting side. I think nobody doubts that the territory of Azerbaijan was occupied," Mohammad Taghi Khalil told Trend on June 18.

The ambassador noted that despite its military capabilities, Azerbaijan has chosen the path of peaceful resolution of the conflict.

"Afghanistan has always supported Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh and this position remains unchanged," Khalil said.

Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the war.

Large-scale hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered ceasefire in 1994 but Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

Peace talks over the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles. However, as Armenia continues to follow non-constructive position, the negotiations have been largely fruitless so far despite the efforts of the co-chair countries over 20 years.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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