AZERI OFFICIAL POINTS TO “SERIOUS DIFFERENCES” WITH ARMENIA OVER KARABAKH

Trend news agency
13 Jan 05

BAKU

“The negotiations to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia are progressing very slowly. The situation is
very difficult. I can’t say that concrete results have been achieved,
but I hope they will be achieved,” Trend has quoted Azerbaijani Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov as telling a news conference at the
Foreign Ministry today.

The news conference was devoted to the results of the 11 January
meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in Prague.

Azimov said there were very many differences in the sides’
positions. He added that some interest on the part of Armenia to step
up the process of negotiations was in evidence of late. In Azimov’s
view, this interest could have something to do with Armenia’s desire
to gain time or with Yerevan’s genuine intention to resolve the
Karabakh problem.

The diplomat stressed that Azerbaijan was still in favour of a
negotiated solution to the problem based on international principles,
including respect for the country’s territorial integrity. However,
the deputy minister said the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity would not mean an immediate solution to all problems. There
is also a problem of peaceful co-existence between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian communities of Nagornyy Karabakh in the future.

Touching on the issue of compromises, Azimov said Azerbaijan was ready
to reopen communications with Armenia provided the latter vacates the
occupied territories. He said the sides were sharing their views on
some issues, but pointed to serious differences on others.

Azimov believes that the next round of the negotiations will be held
in late February.

He also denied reports that an agreement had been reached to conduct a
referendum in Nagornyy Karabakh and to hand it over for administration
(as published).
From: Baghdasarian