The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be possible not now, but in the coming months, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said to press conference in Athens on Dec. 1. “I cannot answer the question when this conflict will be resolved. It is impossible to call a certain time. Yes, definitely we have succeeded, but I cannot say when it will be resolved,” said Kouchner. “Today, we offered to develop certain document, but I am not sure, because some problems remain unresolved,” he 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 the peace negotiations.