Azerbaijan intends to put forward candidacy for UN Security Council non-permanent membership in 2012-2013

"The situation in Palestine and the issue of Jerusalem remain a topical issue for the Islamic community and members of the OIC must show a unified position in this regard in the international community," Mammadyarov said.

"Azerbaijan backs efforts of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital".

"We must be ready to respond to such challenges as the fight against extremism, as well as terrorism and religious fanaticism," Mammadyarov said.

He said Azerbaijan intends to continue to cooperate with the Organization of Islamic Conference, and has applied to host the OIC summit in 2014 in Baku.

Azerbaijan also hopes that the OIC member states which are represented in the UN Security Council would support Azerbaijan's candidacy for non-permanent membership in the Security Council in 2012-2013, he added.

Non-permanent membership of Azerbaijan will be discussed at the meeting of the 66th session of UN General Assembly in 2011.

Mammadyarov said that the decisions and resolutions of the OIC on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been very useful for the formation of approach by the international community, as well as the UN General Assembly and Security Council on the issue of occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia.

Azerbaijan supports resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under international law, UN resolutions and the OIC and OSCE documents, and hopes for continuing support by the OIC, Mammadyarov said.

/Trend News/