Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Robert Walter, rapporteur of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
Giving information on current status of the negotiation process on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Minister stressed that military presence of Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan remains main obstacle to the settlement of the conflict.
E.Mammadyarov reminded that the fact of occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan have already been accepted by the international community, including OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. He added that the UN Security Council`s Resolutions (822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1193), 884 (1993)) condemns use of force against Azerbaijan and reaffirms sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of its internationally recognized borders. E.Mammadyarov pointed out that in those resolutions the UN Security Council reaffirmed that the Nagorno Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan and demanded an immediate, unconditional and full withdrawal of occupying forces from the occupied territories.
Foreign Minister said that withdrawal of Armenian military forces from the occupied territories would serve for the return of internally displaced persons and refuges to their home, restoration of communication, establishment of confidence and restoration of peace and stability, however only Armenia remains against them. He highlighted that those principles are also shrined in the Updated Madrid Principles and underlined that “step by step” solution of the conflict has been accepted as a possible settlement option of the conflict by the international community.
E.Mammadyarov stressed that the judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights dated on June 16 2015, effectively put an end to Armenia’s persistent denial of its responsibility for the unlawful occupation of and military presence in the territories of Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, Elmar Mammadyarov touched that illegal settlement of ethnic Armenian refugees from Syria to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and changing the demographic structure of occupied territories are violation of commitments by Armenia under Geneva Conventions and additional protocols. He added that this important issue will be put forward in the negotiations with Co-chairs of Minsk Group and the international organizations.
Foreign Minister stressed that holding a meeting with attendance of other members of Minsk Group with co-chairs in Vienna is a positive attempt. He added that, all members of Minsk Group, as well as, related international organizations should contribute to the resolution of conflict based on norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter.
Parties exchanged views on other aspects of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict at the meeting.