AZERI LEADER OUTLINES KEY FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES IN MEETING WITH DIPLOMATS

Bilik Dunyasi news agency
27 Jul 04

BAKU

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met the heads of Azerbaijani
diplomatic missions abroad at the Foreign Ministry today.

During the meeting Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed the
president of the work of Azerbaijan’s diplomatic missions abroad. He
also spoke about new activities connected with the need for
coordination between diplomats in the modern world, as well as
structural changes due in the ministry.

In his remarks, President Ilham Aliyev said that the initiative to
hold this meeting was put forward by former Azerbaijani President
Heydar Aliyev a year ago. The head of state added that the foreign
political course adopted by Heydar Aliyev is being successfully
pursued today. Saying that the success of Azerbaijani diplomacy
depends on the work of Azerbaijani ambassadors abroad, Ilham Aliyev
stressed that the main objective of our diplomacy was to solve issues
of national importance at the international level.

Pointing to the fact that Azerbaijan has no problems in bilateral
relations, the president stated his position with regard to
Azerbaijan’s main strategic foreign political directions. The
president said that the main direction is to inform the world public
of the real essence of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagornyy
Karabakh and of Azerbaijan’s position based on a solution to the issue
on the basis of international legal norms.

“Azerbaijani diplomats must take a more active part in resolving the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan supports peace. We want to
resolve the issue through negotiations. I hope the negotiations will
be successful. But at the same time, I have repeatedly stated that
Azerbaijan will never come to terms with the loss of its lands. If the
path of negotiations leads us nowhere, Azerbaijan will use all other
means available, including the military option. International law is
on our side. Economic potential and other issues are also in our
favour. I have no doubt that the issue will be resolved
fairly. Sometimes we hear recommendations about compromises. But I
have repeatedly said that there can be no compromise on the issue of
territorial integrity,” Ilham Aliyev said.

“Another key direction in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is to inform the
world public and international organizations of the plight of
Azerbaijani refugees and forced migrants,” the president said,
disclosing the tasks of the diplomatic corps.

Aliyev instructed the ambassadors to expand cooperation with foreign
countries and influential international organizations in a move to
strengthen Azerbaijan’s positions in the region and to increase the
country’s authority.