OSCE CHAIRMAN IN OFFICE CALLS ARMENIAN REGIME OF QARABAQ TO JOIN PEACE TALKS

ANS
2005-04-02 15:25

Dmitriy Rupel, OSCE chairman-in-office and foreign minister of
Slovenia met with Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani FA minister on April
2 within his visitto Baku. In the briefing after the meeting, he
affirmed giving statement during his visit to Yerevan on joining of
Armenian community of Qarabaq the talks on Armenian-Azerbaijan Daqliq
Qarabaq conflict. I have no authority to change format of the talks
said Dmitriy Rupel, OSCE chairman-in-office and added Armenian media
distorted some of his opinions. I met with representatives of Armenian
community of Daqliq Qarabaq. And recently talked with Azerbaijani
community. We have to listen to different ideas, opinions. And
continue talks in this way. I can neither change nor make corrections
to the format of peace talks process. The sides should come to an
agreement. I won’t speak aboutthe sources you cited. This is a
problem, a conflict. I advise you not to believe these sources. Dmiriy
Rupel said he heard new interesting ideas from Elmar Mammadyarov
regarding settlement of the conflict and these ideas need to be
discussed with Vardan Oskanyan, Armenian FA minister. OSCE chairman
also spoke about repeated cease-fire breaches in Azerbaijan Armenian
front line during last weeks. Regarding the release of three
Azerbaijani soldiers held in Armenian captive since February 15, OSCE
chairman assured they would be released soon, as he was told in
Yerevan. Another question that Dmitriy Rupel touched was upcoming
parliament elections. He said OSCE is interested in democratic
elections. OSCE wants the elections to be held democratically and
free. But as a FA minister of Slovenia, I can say there is a powerful
government and weak opposition in Azerbaijan. In my country, their
powers are equal. I think we may contribute these two sides by
balancing their activity. Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani FA minister
didn’t exclude participation of representatives of Armenian community
of Daqliq Qarabaq and said Azerbaijani commu8nity of Daqliq Qarabaq
and OSCE experts should join the talks. But it should be after
official Baku holds negotiations with Armenia. After his meeting in
Foreign Affairs Ministry, Dmitry Rumpel was received by president in
his office. Armenian-Azerbaijan Daqliq Qarabaq conflict creates a
great danger to regional cooperation, stability and peace. Position
of Azerbaijan on the settlement of the conflict is based on
international law norms. Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be
restored, ID people must return to their houses. Our demands are just
those approved in international law norms said president Ilham
Aliyev. Stressing speedy development of integration process in Europe,
president Ilham Aliyev said future progress of Azerbaijan is connected
with close cooperation with European and Euro-Atlantic
organizations. Expressing his satisfaction with meeting with the
President OSCE chairman said the main issue they are concerned about
is Daqliq Qarabaq problem. Elections and democratic development
issues are at the center of attention of OSCE as well.