Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
May 21 2004

INT’L ORGANIZATIONS MUST INCREASE EFFORTS FOR SETTLEMENT OF THE
ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNY KARABAKH CONFLICT
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES THE DELEGATION OF
INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP
[May 21, 2004, 19:55:25]

President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received the delegation
of International Crisis Group (ICG) headed by its president Mr.
Gareth Evans, 21 May.

The visitor updated head of the Azerbaijan State on his useful
meetings at the Cabinet of Ministers and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He also informed on the work done by ICG in elimination of the
sequences of misfortunes in the Balkans, countries of Central Asia
and Africa, noting that they have rendered practical assistance to
the leaders of those countries.

Noting that the Group comprises professionals – former Premiers,
foreign ministers and other high-rank persons. Gareth Evans said that
members of the former Clinton government lead the Group’s Washington
and New York offices. The ICG comprises representatives form 35
countries and are also engaged in conflict settling. Currently, the
Group carries out researches in numerous world countries – in the
conflict areas, potential conflict regions and prepares appropriate
reports. Mr. Evans said that they prepare similar report on Nagorny
Karabakh conflict, as well as held meetings with the leaders of
Georgia and Armenia for settlement of the conflicts in the South
Caucasus region. He said that they closely cooperate with the UN
Secretary General, Security Council, US State Department to eliminate
sequences of calamities and settlement of conflicts.

President Ilham Aliyev said he welcomes the Group’s interest in the
region and expressed regret that these conflicts cause hard problems
and tragedies for people. Noting that Azerbaijan has over one million
of refugees and IDPs, Head of the Azerbaijan State stressed the
necessity of increasing by international community the efforts
against Armenia’s aggression towards Azerbaijan.

Reminding that currently the OSCE and other international
organizations are engaged in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, President Ilham Aliyev said that should
the international community increase its efforts for fair solution of
the problem, the conflict will be removed. If the international
community will know what has happened, why has happened, who is
aggressor and who is victim of the aggression, who has occupied and
keeps under occupation whose lands, then, it will become clear that
just Armenia is an aggressor state and brutally has violated
international legal norms, has occupied Azerbaijan’s lands and keep
under control up to day. If the international community will pay due
attention to these moments, the conflict will be settled and security
will be established in the region, President of Azerbaijan
underlined.

Also was discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest.

Head of the foreign relations department of President Administration
Novruz Mammadov, head of the law enforcement management department of
President Administration Fuad Alaskarov attended the reception.