OSCE PA to address new conflict settlement initiatives for S. Caucasus

BAKU. January 30. KAZINFORM OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will consider new initiatives to resolve conflicts in South Caucasus.

?We will consider new initiatives to resolve conflicts in the Caucasus at the parliamentary level,? OSCE PA head Joao Soares said, according to the organization?s website. The initiatives will be discussed after the visit of the OSCE PA Special Representative on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and Georgia Goran Lennmarker to the region. The visit is scheduled for Feb. 21. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ? Russia, France, and the U.S. ? are currently holding the peace negotiations. ?This year is the year of great challenges, especially when it comes to so-called frozen conflicts,? said Soares, Kazinform refers to Trend News. Soares described in general terms his priorities for this year and the role of the Parliamentary Assembly. ?It is important that both the Government and the OSCE parliamentarians were ready to cope with the problems we are facing. We, experienced parliamentarians from 55 parliaments, have power in and influence on governments. Definitely, we can be on the front lines of political debates,? said Soares.