Mammadyarov: We can begin substantive negotiations for a breakthrough in Karabakh issue

Eastern Partnership countries should achieve a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement if they are aimed at strengthening cooperation with the EU, Report’s special correspondent informs citing Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov who spoke at the panel "The 10th anniversary of the Eastern partnership: Achievements and challenges in delivering concrete results” in the framework of the high-level conference in Brussels, dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Eastern Partnership program. 

"Eastern Partnership is not focused on the interests of the third countries, we all pursue the interests of our countries. It is as such in Azerbaijan's case,” Mammadyarov said.

According to him, it is necessary to achieve conflict resolution if the Eastern Partnership countries are aimed at strengthening cooperation with the EU.

"This morning, at breakfast and then at the talks with EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, we discussed what we can do, what projects can be implemented in this regard," the Azerbaijani minister said.

He noted that the new government of Armenia, which calls itself democratic, can open new opportunities for political will. "We will be able to start more serious, substantive negotiations to achieve a breakthrough in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, since a democratic state cannot occupy the territory of another state," Mammadyarov stressed.