11.   Azerbaijian categorically refuses to accord autonomy to Nagorno-Karabakh -- except cultural autonomy -- while the Armenian separatists demand sovereignty or at least a merger with neighboring Armenia.

12.   Azerbaijan has been locked in a conflict with Armenian separatists in the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh for more than six years.

13.   Azerbaijan is ready to grant full autonomy to Nagorno-Karabakh but the Armenian separatists want full sovereignty.

14.   Baku has said it is ready to grant Nagorno Karabakh self rule within Azerbaijan but Armenian separatists are demanding full independence.

15.   Azerbaijani troops have made several unsuccessful attempts this year to recapture territory controlled by Armenian separatists.

16.   For more than a decade Armenia and Azerbaijan have been involved in a dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh -- a mountainous enclave in Azerbaijan claimed by Armenian separatists.

17.   Last month three Armenian separatists were killed in the enclave in clashes which violated a ceasefire accord reached last autumn, according to separatist sources.

18.   Russian troops unofficially armed Armenian separatists who fought a bitter eight-year war against neighbouring Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

19.   The Armenian separatists who control the territory are calling for independence or federation with neighbouring Armenia, while Azerbaijan is willing only to accord cultural autonomy.

20.   The Armenian separatists who control it want independence or a merger with Armenia, while Baku wants only to give the territory cultural autonomy.