The head of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh discussed with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs the issue of refugees’ return to the occupied territories. “The main issue that we discussed with the OSCE Minsk Group, was our return to native homes,” the head of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, Bayram Safarov said after the meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on Oct. 6.

The meeting was held as part of the Baku visit of the U.S., French and Russian intermediaries in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “I hope the issue will be resolved soon,” said Safarov.

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 7 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 without any result.