COE takes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity as basis for Carabagh settlement

Armenia had to sign for it for the first time

The Council of Europe takes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity as a key principle for the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.

The COE Council of Ministers and its Parliamentary Assembly adopted a document envisioning the solution to the dispute on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity in Monday’s joint meeting.

All 43 COE member-states, including Armenia, had attached their signatures to the document. It is noteworthy that Armenia had to sign for a document that recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity for the first time.

The consideration of the issue came after the written address by MP Gultakin Hajiyeva "On recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity by Armenia" sent to the PACE Committee of Ministers.

At the same time the document labels the principle of self-determination as something subservient.

PACE Committee of Ministers, reaffirming its support for the internationally recognized state borders, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, has also urged Azerbaijan and Armenia to put collective efforts to a lasting solution to the Garabagh conflict and resuscitate the search for peace through mutual compromises.

The statement by the Committee of Ministers says the two parties to the conflict must refrain from animosity and hostilities, which contradict the commitments the two countries have undertaken in the Council of Europe.

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Strasbourg was attended by an Azeri delegation led by MP Ilham Aliyev.