Former FM says Armenia may join BTE gas project

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 13 2004

A statement made by officials concerning the liberation of seven
occupied districts of Azerbaijan by Armenia following the recent talks,
has sparked various opinions.

Former foreign minister of Azerbaijan Tofig Zulfugarov told AssA-Irada
that a concrete proposal concerning the liberation of seven occupied
districts should be expected after the meeting of the two countries’
ministers scheduled to be held in Strasbourg on May 12.

Commenting on the absence of any reaction to the proposal by Armenia,
Zulfugarov did not rule out the possibility of applying pressure
on Yerevan, and especially on President Kocharian. According
to some sources, the United States has supported the idea of
liberating occupied territories and thus aspires to achieve Armenia’s
participation in the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (BTE) gas pipeline project.
Giving a positive assessment to the idea, Zulfugarov said that
Armenia’s involvement in the BTE project may divert its attention
from the issue of Garabagh’s status.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress