U.S. congressmen discuss Nagorno-Karabakh issue in Baku

U.S. congressmen have discussed the issues of strengthening the OSCE Minsk Group's activity with Azerbaijani parliamentarians today, the head of the delegation of U.S. congressmen, a member of the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Transportation Bill Shuster told media.

"The issues concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement were discussed with Azerbaijani parliamentarians," he said. "The members of the delegation stressed that the U.S. is committed to peaceful settlement of this issue".

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent 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.

A U.S. Congress delegation led by Congressman Bill Shuster arrived in Baku on Wednesday.

Besides Shuster, Chris Murphy, Sean Duffy, Adam Kinzinger, Cedric Richmond and Jon Runyan are also represented in the delegation.

A delegation of the U.S. Congress discusses bilateral ties.

U.S. officials met with Azerbaijani First Deputy Speaker Ziyafet Askerov and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of International and Interparliamentary Relations Samad Seyidov.

Shuster said that the U.S. appreciates the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. "The U.S. is satisfied with Azerbaijan's activity in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, as well as ensuring the energy security of the West," he said.

The interests of the United States and Azerbaijan coincide in many issues, he said.


/Trend/