ArmInfo.Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is not optimistic about the talks on Karabakh, according to APA.
"I don't have an optimistic view of meetings over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, neither does my Armenian counterpart in his speeches give us a chance so that we can discuss something positive," APA quotes Mammadyarov as saying.
He mentioned that all international organizations have recognized Azerbaijan's "territorial integrity". "In my visit to Moscow next month I will bring up this issue during the talks with Russia, an OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country," said Mammadyarov, adding: "We're going to be discussing what actions to take in order to change the status quo. Everyone knows how the problem can be solved. It's no secret to anyone what plan is awaiting on the negotiation table and that the problem cannot be solved in a day. First of all, the troops must be returned to their barracks so that we can restore the peace. This conflict is a big threat to the region."
Mammadyarov also stressed that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries, which are also permanent members of the UN Security Council, "have voted for four UN Security Council resolutions on the Karabakh conflict". "Following the adoption of Resolution 822 in 1993, OSCE Minsk Group Chairman Mario Raffaelli was instructed to prepare a schedule for the withdrawal of armed forces from the 'occupied territories'," he said. "Some people think the resolutions were adopted to declare a ceasefire. However, they demand immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the 'occupied Azerbaijani' territories", APA quotes him as saying.
Mammadyarov added that on Feb 23 he discussed with OSCE CiO Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs' visit to the region. He said that the visit will be conducted in mid March, but the date is not specified yet.