Azeri official urges Armenia to gradually vacate territories outside Karabakh

Turan news agency
7 Apr 05

Baku, 7 April: There are key aspects in the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict, the solution to which is an integral part of the negotiating
process, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has told
journalists.

These “key aspects” are always on the agenda, Azimov said. They
(“key aspects”) have to do with eliminating the consequences of the
conflict. In other words, they involve the liberation of occupied
territories, restoration of the infrastructure, return of refugees
to their homes, re-establishment of normal relations and solution to
political problems.

He said that work on these aspects was part of the “Prague process
[talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers]”. Azimov
rejected the “speculations on a stage-by-stage or package solution
alternatives”.

“As long as agreement on all issues has not been reached, there can
be no talk of a settlement,” Azimov said.

At the same time, Azimov said that Azerbaijan’s position on the
liberation of seven occupied districts outside Nagornyy Karabakh
remains unchanged. However, he added that considering the difficulties
arising from the simultaneous liberation of the said districts,
a stage-by-stage approach to this issue was not ruled out.

If Armenia is genuinely interested in maintaining durable links with
Karabakh’s Armenian community, which would envisage the presence of
a transport infrastructure, it has to give an appropriate response
to Baku’s suggestions which cover the “issues of using roads and
ensuring security”, Azimov said.