Afghan envoy to Istanbul calls for talks to end Armenia, Azeri conflict

Afghanistan’s consul general in Istanbul said this week that Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territory must end immediately and the matter should be resolved through dialogue in line with international law.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Zakaria Barakzai said international law calls for Armenia to end its occupation of the Upper Karabakh region.

“We want this goal to be achieved and for international law and order not to be violated. The Afghan government’s clearly underlined points are based on principles of international law, history of the region, and liberation of Upper Karabakh’s occupied parts,” he said.

“This problem should immediately be resolved through dialogue.”

Last month, Afghanistan declared its support for Azerbaijan and parliament issued a statement calling for the immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territory.

On Turkey and Afghanistan’s relations, Barakzai meanwhile said Kabul has always appreciated Ankara’s support in various fields.

“We are always grateful to Turkey for the brotherhood it has showed and the cooperation it has extended in many fields, particularly military training, education, and economic and political matters,” said the diplomat.

Clashes broke out between the two former Soviet republics 10 days ago when Armenian forces targeted Azerbaijani civilian settlements and military positions in the region, leading to casualties.

Relations between the two countries have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Upper Karabakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan.