Mammadyarov says Armenian troops withdrawal must be first step towards Karabakh conflict settlement

“The immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan - the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be the first step towards the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”, Azerbaijani foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Bratislava.

"My country's position remains unchanged... Yesterday we held 3.5-hour with Armenian counterpart. I can say that these were serious and difficult negotiations. Unfortunately, we still have unresolved issues," Mammadyarov said.

According to him, during the talks with the OSCE Minsk GROUP Co - Chairs - the United States, Russia and France - the parties discussed the issue of phased solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.