The international community has given a clear line with the UN Resolutions of the year 1993: the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by the Armenian army must be ended, and indeed without pre-conditions, Member of European Parliament (Committee for Regional Development and Committee on Petitions) Victor Bostinaru said while answering the questions of the European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) on Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Bostinaru went on to add that this position is binding according to international law and deserves full support.

"Azerbaijan is a country with around 9 million population, of whom one million are refugees. Also, one fifth of the country`s area is occupied. These are alarming numbers that the broad public may not be aware of. The way to a solution for these enormous burdens can only happen through the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," Bostinaru said.

Member of the European Parliament also added that Azerbaijan is not only important for Europe as a partner in energy issues.

"There is also a close cooperation in security policy, for example in fighting terrorism. Also in the areas of culture and education the contacts are becoming steadily deeper. From this point of view it should be self-evident that Azerbaijan is entitled to take its legitimate rights," Bostinaru said

According to him the stagnation in the peace negotiations is actually a big problem.
"The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh and the other occupied areas is unresolved since 20 years. Also the Southern Caucasus is a very important neighbouring region for Europe, both in political and in economic terms. The conflict between Georgia and Russia in 2008 has shown how fast the security situation can change. Hence it is of vital interest for Europe that the peace negotiations finally come to a useful result," the Member of the European parliament said.

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 seven 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 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.

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