AZERBAIJAN ADHERES PROCESS OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNY KARABAKH CONFLICT
[November 27, 2004, 12:14:56]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 27 2004

On November 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic
Elmar Mammadyarov has met delegation of the United Nations Organization
led by the High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers.

As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Minister, having noted that the question
of refugees and IDPs is one of the most difficult problem for the
country, has told: “The management of Republic takes necessary
measures for improvement of social plight of these people driven
out by the Armenian armed formations from the native lands during
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Having noted that
due to the means allocated by the State Oil Fund, were built small
settlement for refugees, the Minister has stated that Azerbaijan
needs assistance in the said question. He has told: “Activation of
political efforts for quick settlement of the conflict, returning of
the IDPs and refugees to their homes is extremely important. Armenia
by holding destructive position in the resolution to the conflict,
for infringement of process of negotiations, resettles population in
the occupied Azerbaijan territories. For prevention of illegal steps
undertaken by Armenia, the government of Azerbaijan has addressed the
General Assembly of the United Nations. The Minister has emphasized
that the initiative of inclusion in the agenda of 59th session of
General Assembly of the United Nations of item “Situation in the
occupied Azerbaijan territories” pursues the aim to prevent illegal
policy of the Armenian side contradicting to norms of the international
humanitarian law and creating threat to peace talks, with attraction
of attention of world community. Having noted importance of the
Organization on the occupied grounds of mission concerning search
of the facts with participation of representatives of OSCE member
countries, the Minister has expressed confidence that it becomes
useful step in cause of settlement of the conflict. He has told:
“We once again confirm our adherence to carrying out of process of
settlement of the conflict within the framework of the Minsk Group
of OSCE, at the same time we count that the world community should
demonstrate position concerning the said conflict”.

Having asserted that hundred thousand IDPs and refugees is in heavy
condition, the High Commissioner of the United Nations on refugees
Ruud Lubbers has noted that among the efforts applied in the field
of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict,
he agrees with opinion on immediate returning of the refugees and IDPs
to their native lands. He has emphasized that the High Commissioner
of the United Nations on refugee adheres to rendering assistance to
the refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan.

Having noted that protection of refugees and IDPs, search of ways
of the solution of problems directly concern the mandate of the
Commissioner, the visitor has emphasized that the structure supervised
by him will assist process of elimination of this or that problem
first of all from the humanitarian position. He has told that hopes
for immediate settlement of the conflict and returning of the refugees
in Azerbaijan to their homes.