Elmar Mammadyarov: We should make progress in solving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict next year

Baku. 14 December. REPORT.AZ/ "Azerbaijan strongly believes in the future prosperity of the Black Sea region and there is no doubt that this future will be based on good neighborhood, mutual respect, humanism and tolerance", Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said.

Report informs that he spoke at the 39th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of BSEC member-states held on 14 December in Baku.

He noted that unresolved conflicts are the biggest obstacles for the regional cooperation, especially in the BSEC space: “For Azerbaijan and Armenia this is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Military occupation of Azerbaijani lands is not a solution and will never produce the political effect desired by the Armenian side.

"Azerbaijan's main stance is based on the norms and principles of international law confirmed in the BSEC charter, in particular the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states within the internationally recognized borders.

"The ongoing occupation and policy of self-isolation deprives Armenia of economic growth and trade potential in the region. It also undermines our efforts to build a common regional trade, with full respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We hope that when a new government is formed in Armenia under the mandate of the people of this country, we should make progress in the coming year and create a good opportunity for bringing peace, stability and progress to the region."