A war between Azerbaijan and Armenia is inevitable should the two sides fail to settle the Nagorny Karabakh conflict in favor of Azerbaijan, the defense minister said Saturday.

"If the issue is not settled so that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is preserved, a war is inevitable," Safar Abiyev told journalists.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh first erupted in 1988, when the mountainous region claimed independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia.

Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988 and 1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded in 1994, leaving Nagorny Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.

The OSCE Minsk Group, comprising the United States, Russia and France, is a mediator in the conflict.

BAKU, December 12 (RIA Novosti)