EX-MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TOFIG ZULFUGAROV POSITIVELY ASSESSES REPORT OF DAVID ATKINSON

BAKU, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO-TURAN. In the whole the report of David
Atkinson “realistically classifies” the present situation around
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. This is the opinion expressed by
Tofig Zulfugarov, the ex-Foreign Minister in his interview to TURAN,
commenting on the answer of reporter of PACE for Nagorno Karabakh
David Atkinson.

He stated with regret that the report did not have concrete proposals
concerning Armenia as the country-aggressor. At the same time, the
emerge after such along silence of the international organizations
of this document giving “realistic estimation” is very positive ,
Zulfugarov believes.

Reference to the relevant resolution of the of the UNO Security Council
is a “good signal” for the OSCE Minsk group so that it should follow
this way for obtaining of political settlement, T. Zulfugarov said.

The report of Atkinson has positive significance also from the point
of view of coordination of European structures. Thus, in case of
PACE session adopts the report it will be signal for the rest – for
European parliament, EU, OSCE and NATO. Besides, relevant resolution
of PACE will become the main document for the countries of the CE in
their attitude to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

Commenting on the provisions of the report concerning appeal to
the International Court in case of failure in settlement within the
frameworks of the Minsk Group , Zulfugarov doubts reasonability of
such variant for Azerbaijan. He explains that the International Court
considers arguable questions and in such case the sides delegate
to the court authorities and undertake in advance to fulfill its
decision. And in case with the Armenian-Azeri conflict the sovereignty
of Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh is not the subject of argue and
it has been accepted by the international community.

Responding the question on the practical significance of the accepting
of the report in PACE for the settlement of the conflict Zulfugarov
said that they should not re-estimate the role of international
organizations.

He thinks that settlement depends not only on the international
organizations but also on the will and readiness of Azerbaijani state
to obtain fair resolution of the problem.