Our expectations, connected with the next visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to the region are obvious. This is the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation and the return of refugees to their homeland, deputy chairman, executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov told media today.

"The co-chairmen visited the region many times," he said. "The number of these visits is so great that the people called them tourist visits. We do not object to their visits because the co-chairmen have set a goal to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But, unfortunately, numerous visits have not had a significant impact on the conflict settlement as of yet."

He said that significant impact means an end to the conflict and the liberation of Azerbaijani lands.

"Firstly, co-chairmen must show their determination and put the liberation of Azerbaijani lands as the main condition to achieve this," he said. "If these steps are not taken, the activity of co-chairmen will not bring results in the future."

The OSCE Minsk Group will visit the region in the coming weeks.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent 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 peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

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