POLITICS
DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS WITH OSCE MINSK GROUP AMERICAN CO-CHAIR
Safar Abiyev said years-long negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh were not fruitful.
He noted the OSCE Minsk Group has not yet achieved positive results in this direction.
Matthew Bryza informed the Azerbaijani Minister about his activity as OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair.
He said he is also responsible for settlement of other conflicts in the region as well as for energy security in Europe and development of friendly ties between Azerbaijan and the USA.
Mr. Bryza stressed Azerbaijan is of great importance to the United States, adding his country highly appreciates political and economic progress in Azerbaijan.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani Government for support in war against international terrorism.
Safar Abiyev said Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a huge obstacle to development of ties between Azerbaijan and the USA.
Mr. Bryza said the international community wants a diplomatic solution to the dispute.
Mr. Abiyev stressed Armenia has occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, adding “if peace talks have no result, Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity by itself”.
Matthew Bryza said Azerbaijan surpasses Armenia in all fields.
Then, Safar Abiyev and Matthew Bryza discussed military and political situation in the South Caucasus, and a range of other questions of mutual concern.
Ambassador of the USA to Azerbaijan Mrs. Anne Derse was also present at the meeting.