Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 20 2004
EC offers assistance in solving conflicts in Caucasus
The European Commission (EC) chairman Romano Prodi said in a meeting
with teachers and students of the Baku State University on Friday
that conflicts in the Caucasus are unacceptable.
Touching upon the Upper Garabagh conflict, Prodi stated that the
settlement of the conflict depends on the conflicting sides. The EC
chairman noted that he backed the peaceful settlement of the conflict
and that the conflicts that arose in the European Union member states
were solved within the framework of economic reforms.
Receiving Prodi the same day, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazada
said that Armenians wanted to bring into the international
community’s notice such a fact that the conflict with Azerbaijan has
begun on a religious basis.
Denying this fact, Sheikh underlined that the fact that Azerbaijanis
are not willing to live with Armenians is Armenians’ latest
deception. `Today, 25,000 Armenians are living in Azerbaijan.
However, there is not a single Azerbaijani in Armenia,’ Pashazada
stressed.
Prodi said that his Baku visit aims to put forward new proposals on
cooperation. He underscored that not only economic and but also
political relations will be expanded.
`The European community is open to your community. Therefore, the
participation of religion in this dialogue is necessary,’ said Prodi,
stressing possibility for EC assistance in solving conflicts in the
region.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress