EU envoy urges caution at Karabakh talks with Azeri leader

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
22 Mar 04

[Presenter] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the special
representative of the EU for the South Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie,
discussed the Karabakh conflict today. The head of state said that
international organizations, which have already started to acknowledge
Armenia’s occupying nature, should take serious steps against it.

Heikki Talvitie said that he would not be passive, but at the same
time would be cautious on the issue.

[Correspondent] President Heydar Aliyev, who received the special
representative of the EU for the South Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie,
recalled their previous meetings and said that the EU and Baku are
developing cooperation. Integration into European structures is our
strategic choice and we will remain faithful to this policy, end of
quote.

The president hailed the EU for its interest in the problem of
Nagornyy Karabakh. He explained the protracted conflict by Armenia’s
destructive position.

[Aliyev] Unfortunately, the Armenian armed forces do not want to
withdraw from the occupied territory and the resolution of the issue
is under threat.

[Correspondent] The head of state said that the international norms of
settling conflicts coincide with Baku’s position on the issue. The
president described as inadmissible Armenia’s unwillingness to give up
its occupying policy. He called on the international community to be
more active following Yerevan’s official confession in Bratislava
[international conference].

[Aliyev] One country has occupied the territory of another country. It
itself admitted that it was not planning to withdraw from the
territory which did not belong to it. Every country should respect
international organizations. I hope that the international community
will express its fair position on that and the conflict will be
resolved.

[Correspondent] This is the requirement of the time. Under this
requirement, conflicts between peoples should be resolved in line with
international laws, end of quote.

For his part, Heikki Talvitie said that his organization was ready to
render assistance in resolving the conflict.

[Talvitie in English with Azeri voice-over] I am ready to do
everything in my power to resolve the Karabakh conflict. I can assure
you that I will not be passive. But I will also be careful. I think
that positive results can be achieved.

[Correspondent] The guest also talked about the state programme on the
socio-economic development. He said that the programme is being widely
discussed in Europe and by major organizations and highly praised the
reforms.

Aliyev spoke highly of the role of energy projects in the development
of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union and stressed
the importance of dialogue. The fact that the conflict has not yet
been resolved is an obstacle to stepping up cooperation, end of quote.

The president expressed the hope that joint measures will yield
results.

Farida Agaverdiyeva and Mirtofiq Miralioglu, Son Xabar.