BAKU (Trend)–Praising the growing interest of third parties to mediate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Monday made vague reference to alternative “international formats and precedents” that should be “taken into consideration” in the conflict settlement process.
“Despite all mediation initiatives, there are international formats and precedents for having negotiations on the conflict settlement and they should be taken into consideration,” Araz Azimov told reporters during a press conference on Monday, hinting that Official Baku may be seeking alternative formats for settling the Karabakh conflict. “There is a foundation for settling the conflict and efforts continue on this basis.”
The basic principle for resolving the conflict, according to Azimov is a solution founded on the terrigorial integirty of Azerbaijan.
Official Baku supports all initiatives aimed at a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, especially Turkey’s growing role in the negotiations process, Azimov remarked.
“Turkey’s role grows in the conflict settlement and official Baku supports this tendency,” Azimov said, adding that Turkey’s steps to become more involved stem from its role as an OSCE member state and should be assessed positively.
“Turkey is one of the countries, which supports a solution of the conflict on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,” he said.
“We positively accept and assess initiatives of all countries, directed to peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.”
“It is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan and a country that is interested in the settlement of conflicts in the region, as well,” he added.