Сo-chairs: problem of refugees one of key issues in negotiations over Karabakh
04.03.2009,
01:53
Problem of refugees is one of the key subjects of negotiations over Karabakh, Bernard Fassier, French co-chair of OSCE Minks Group, said on Tuesday.
YEREVAN, March 3. /ARKA/. Problem of refugees is one of the key subjects of negotiations over Karabakh, Bernard Fassier, French co-chair of OSCE Minks Group, said on Tuesday.
American Co-chair Matthew Bryza, in his turn, stressed the importance of this issue.
He said that the organizations dealing with refugees’ problems have taken part in negotiations in Stepanakert.
Bryza said that all refugees regardless of their national identity have the problems waiting for their solutions.
Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Artsakh, mainly populated by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.
On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority of the population (99.89%) voted for secession from Azerbaijan.
Afterwards, large-scale military operations began. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven regions adjacent to it.
On May 12, 1994 Bishkek cease-fire agreement, put an end to the military operations.
Since 1992, negotiations over the peaceful settlement of the conflict have been carried out under the OSCE Minsk Group’s mediation. The group is co-chaired by USA, Russia and France. -0-
American Co-chair Matthew Bryza, in his turn, stressed the importance of this issue.
He said that the organizations dealing with refugees’ problems have taken part in negotiations in Stepanakert.
Bryza said that all refugees regardless of their national identity have the problems waiting for their solutions.
Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Artsakh, mainly populated by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.
On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority of the population (99.89%) voted for secession from Azerbaijan.
Afterwards, large-scale military operations began. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven regions adjacent to it.
On May 12, 1994 Bishkek cease-fire agreement, put an end to the military operations.
Since 1992, negotiations over the peaceful settlement of the conflict have been carried out under the OSCE Minsk Group’s mediation. The group is co-chaired by USA, Russia and France. -0-
