The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan for a long and lasting peace in the region, said Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister. "For a long and lasting peace in the region, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be resolved as soon as possible within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov during his meeting with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel B. Poneman, the press-service of the Foreign Ministry reported.

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.

Also highly assessing the energy cooperation between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov stressed the importance of geographical position of Azerbaijan, said that along with the fact that Azerbaijan is an energy exporter, it also has the potential for transit transportation to the world markets.

Noting the broad relations between Azerbaijan and the United States, Poneman mentioned the long-term successful cooperation in the energy sector. He also said that the issue of ensuring global energy security is a priority in U.S. foreign policy and expressed support of his country for the delivery to the world energy markets.