MEP: It is necessary to respect Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity

Europe supports a fair solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of agreed principles, member of European Parliament, vice-president of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Ramona Manescu answering the question of the European Azerbaijan Society about Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

According to the MP, for implementing social and economic potential, first of all, the security of the region's countries should be ensured and they should live in peace with their neighbors.

She stressed that strong support is urgently needed in order to create sustainable cooperation, to develop the region and to settle the conflict peacefully and stop military intervention and any violence against the conflicting parties.

"As a member of the European Parliament and vice-president of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, I believe that it is necessary to respect Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the civil right of IDPs to return their lands and their personal safety. I expect from both the Armenian and Azerbaijani leadership that first of all, understanding what is important for their citizens would help them reach an agreement to stop the conflict and ensure well-being and prosperity for their nations," she said.

The EU supports efforts on international mediation through the OSCE Minsk Group and expresses its readiness to play its role in peaceful solution of the conflict, Manescu noted.
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 the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.


/Trend/