Mammadyarov: Karabakh Issue Hampers Azerbaijan European Integration

PanARMENIAN.Net - The unsettled state of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the major obstacle on the way of democracy and political stability in Azerbaijan, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov supposes. "Occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan's territory by Armenia and availability of one million refugees and displaced persons is the major obstacle on the way of formation of democracy and political stability not only in Azerbaijan, but in the whole region, thus hampering country's integration into the European family," Mammadyarov stated at a meeting with Stef Goris, the President of the Assembly of the Western European Union - Interparliamentary European Security and Defense Assembly. As reported by the Azeri MFA, E. Mammadyarov noted the conflict settlement should "be based on territorial integrity of Azerbaijan along with providing highest autonomy to the Armenian and Azeri population of Nagorno Karabakh."