Seyran Ohanyan: Baku impedes Karabakh conflict settlement

March 27, 2010 - 15:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - On March 27, RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan met with US Co-Chair of OSCE MG Robert Bradtke.

Seyran Ohanyan gave high assessment to his activities within OSCE MG framework. Presenting Armenia's position on Karabakh conflict settlement, the Minister noted that Armenia adheres to the principle of peaceful settlement of the conflict, while Azerbaijan's aggressive statements impede the process, creating strained atmosphere in the region.

Seyran Ohanyan expressed a hope that mutually acceptable solution to Karabakh issue will be found. Both sides agreed that linking Karabakh conflict settlement to Armenia-Turkey relations is unacceptable.

By presidential decree, through mediation of International Committee of the Red Cross, bodies of two Azeri soldiers, killed on March 3 in the attempt to illegally enter the territory of Armenia as a part of subversive group, as well as Azeri soldier earlier taken as prisoner, will be returned to Azerbaijan, Seyran Ohanyan reported.

US Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch also participated in the meeting.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.