The negotiation process over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement is quite intense, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairman from Russia Igor Popov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"The basic principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, which should become the basis for the development of a future peace agreement, are being discussed," Popov said, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“Three meetings have been held in the last year. Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents clarified the positions on the issues causing differences.”
Popov noted: “Presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan expressed their intention at the summit in Sochi in January to accelerate the achievement of the agreement on basic principles taking into account the conducted work.
“This position means the parties are not just ready to continue the peace process, but intend to make an effort for this process to give the expected result."
The Russian diplomat said: “Russia, U.S and France are mediators at the talks. They think that the conflict can be resolved only peacefully.”
“The mediators` role is great. Russia has traditionally been actively involved in the peace process.”
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in ۱۹۸۸ when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces occupied ۲۰ per cent of Azerbaijan in ۱۹۹۲, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The occupation still continues.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in ۱۹۹۴. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council`s four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.