IN SPITE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT WAYS ARE WITHIN OSCE MINSK GROUP, NO PROGRESS IS MADE YET, US PRO-AZERI CONGRESSMAN CONSIDERS

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Resulting from the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh and 7 adjacent regions by the armed forces of Armenia 1 million Azeris became refugees and displaced persons," Co-Chair of the US Congressional Working Group on Azerbaijan Solomon Ortiz stated. Having called his colleagues to support the peaceful solution of the Nagorno Karabakh, the Congressman reminded that the US does not recognize Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state. He noted that in spite of the ways of conflict settlement pass within the OSCE Minsk Group, there is no progress made yet. However the Congressman emphasized that the US continues efforts to that end and abides by settlement within the OSCE Minsk Group. S. Ortiz also touched upon the PACE latest resolution over Nagorno Karabakh. He noticed that, as noted by the resolution, most of the territory of Azerbaijan until now "is occupied by Armenian armed forces, while Nagorno Karabakh is being controlled by separatist forces." "The PACE notes that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs should work over the agreement between the parties and the parties should observe the UN Security Council resolutions. Besides, they should refrain from hostilities and withdraw forces from all territories occupied. I welcome the Council of Europe initiative and the US Government statement," the Congressman stated. He also attracted his colleague Congressmen's attention to Azerbaijan, situated between Russia and Iran, being a strategic partner of the US and its ally in the war against terror.