Azernews.Az

Germany supports the United Nations resolutions with binding effect in international law that confirm the Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region's being a part of Azerbaijan, a German lawmaker has said.

Olav Gutting, Bundestag member from Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group, member of Legal Committee, was commenting on Armenia's illegal plans to open Khojaly airport in Nagorno-Karabakh -- an Azerbaijani region under Armenian occupation, the European Azerbaijan Society reported.

Gutting said that restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has been demanded by the international community for a long time. The refugees have a right to return to their homeland. But they are deprived of this right as long as Armenia remains in the occupied territories.

He said that there is close cooperation between Germany and Azerbaijan in the areas of politics, economics and society.

"Therefore we share the concern of Azerbaijan with regards to the future of Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia has taken measures against the peace in this context. One example is the so-called presidential elections last year which have not been recognized by the European Union. Currently Armenia is planning the reopening of the Khojaly airport although it is located on Azerbaijani territory... This is not contributing to the peaceful solution between the two countries," he said.

He said Germany has always supported the efforts of the United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE for the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and will continue to make an effort in this direction.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven 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 peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.