The Organisation of the Islamic countries (OIC) has urged all OIC member states to use such effective political and economic measures as required to put an end to the Armenian aggression and occupation of the Azerbaijani territories, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in an interview with Trend News. Ihsanoglu will visit Baku to attend the conference "Dialogue of Civilizations: a view of Azerbaijan." in mid-November.

The conference, which will be held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the OIC, will focus on issues such as the confessional and cultural diversity, Azerbaijan's experience in this field, the problems of interfaith dialogue and Islamic geopolitics. Azerbaijan joined the OIC in 1992 and during its chairmanship it did a great job specially in fostering understanding among nations and cultures, the Secretary General added.

"Azerbaijan, as an OIC Member, can also play as a bridge between Europe and Asia to promote cooperation," Ihsanolu said. "As its firm and principled position, the OIC has condemned Armenian aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan and would continue its solidarity with Azerbaijan on the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh."

Being the second largest organization in the world by number of members following the UN, the OIC believes now for a peaceful settlement of this dispute, they should stick to the international law and regulations. International laws as well as those resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council on this conflict have clearly reaffirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and also the inviolability of international borders and the inadmissibility of the use of force for the acquisition of territory, Ihsanoglu added.

Regarding the Islamic countries' role in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ihsanouglu said that the OIC, have demanded the strict implementation of these resolutions and urged all OIC member states to use such effective political and economic measures as required in order to put an end to Armenian aggression and occupation of the Azerbaijani territories and to enable the displaced persons to return to their homes in safety, honor and dignity. "The OIC has also supported all efforts of Azerbaijan for a just and negotiated peaceful settlement of the conflict and rejected Armenian activities in the occupied territories," Ihsanoglu said.

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.