Karabakh conflict settlement negotiation format remains unchanged: Aliyev

The negotiation format over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement remains unchanged, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev told Russian TASS.

“The negotiation process must be backed by humanitarian steps. The important thing is that the format of negotiations has remained unchanged. The talks are held between Armenia and Azerbaijan like during the past years,” he said.

Aliyev stressed that new impetus has been given to the talks. “We gave positive assessment to the March 9 statement of the OSCE Minsk Group which stated that the format of negotiations may be changed only in conditions of consent of both parties,” Aliyev stressed, adding that Baku has not given its consent.

“Azerbaijan prioritizes the liberation of the internationally recognized territories in the sidelines of the international right, Helsinki Act and four resolutions of the UN Security Council and the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories,” the Azerbaijani leader said.