Baku agreed to return Kelbajar and Lachin to Azerbaijan in a 5-year period: Elmar Mammadyarov

Baku agreed on returning Kelbajar and Lachin to Azerbaijan, but it Armenia has again brought these issues into discussion, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at the press conference held today.

"Primarily, the issue related to term of returning occupied Kelbajar and Lachin regions were discussed at the meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents held in St Petersburg. At one time, Armenian side wanted 10 years for retuning Kelbajar and Lachin, while Azerbaijani side demanded 1 year. We have given 5 years for returning of these regions to Azerbaijan. But Armenia has again brought these issues into discussion," APA reports quoted him as saying.

Mammadyarov further said that the Russian side has come with some proposals which have been discussed at St Petersburg meeting.

"These are proposals and there have been lot proposals during this period. The Russian side wants to see some progress in the regulation process and that is why it makes such offers. But it is difficult for Azerbaijan as well. We have thought that we had come to an agreement, that the issue had been solved. The 5-year period has been reflected also in the Madrid Principles. But the problem is being prolonged because of the Armenian position, and Russia is trying to bring the positions of the sides close. It is difficult to work in this direction. If we come to an agreement on any issue, then this issue is discussed in the next period, the process becomes very difficult."