EUROPEAN UNION WANTS ENSURING OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN
[April 18, 2005, 21:05:49]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 18 2005

On April 18, Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov received
the delegation, which has arrived in Baku for participation in 6th
session of Committee on cooperation the European Union – Parliament
of Azerbaijan.

Warmly greeting the visitors, Mr. Alaskarov has told that development
of relations with the European Union is one of the basic directions
of foreign policy of Azerbaijan. Signed in 1996 in Brussels, the
Agreement “On partnership and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the
European Union”, and also the “Additional Protocol to the Agreement on
partnership and cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan,
stipulating integration to the European Union of the new 10 countries”,
signed during the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Brussels in
2004, have played important role in development of our links. The
relations between the Union and our country successfully develop and in
economic sphere. We highly estimate the EU-led large-scale projects,
the assistance rendered to the Azerbaijan refugees and IDPs. However,
regretfully should I note that there are serious problems which impede
development of our relations”.

Then, Chairman of Milli Majlis has in detail informed visitors on
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He has noted that
the international organizations, and also the European Union try to
solve the conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group is engaged in settlement
of the problem for more than 10 years. However, it has achieved
nothing. Azerbaijan adheres fair solution of the conflict. And it
means clearing up to last span of the Azerbaijan lands from under
occupation, returning of refugees and IDPs to their native lands. The
international structures do not make distinctions between aggressor
and those who have undergone aggression. They offer us compromises.
And sometimes they speak of self-determination. You should know that
the Armenians are not aboriginals in these territories, and they
already having gained independence once, have created the state on
the historical Azerbaijan lands. We are not going in second time to
concede our lands. We can provide safety of the Armenians living in
Nagorno Karabakh, to give them the highest status of autonomy.

We hope, that the European Union being the supporter of stability on
Southern Caucasus, will make active efforts, and shortly we shall in
common reach the fair solution of the conflict.

Head of the delegation, the co-chairman of European Union-Azerbaijan
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Anna Maria Ishler Biguin has
expressed gratitude for warm reception and detailed information.
Having emphasized that the delegation has arrived in Baku in a new
structure, Ms. Ishler has told that its members are not indifferent
to problems of Azerbaijan. “They want to familiarize in more detail
with your problems, to take direct participation in their solution.
We have already familiarized with heavy vital conditions of the IDPs
in tent camps. Really, they live in intolerable conditions. We should
try that the conflict has been solved shortly. It is necessary to
provide territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and refugees should come
back to their native lands.

The European Union has special envoy on the Southern Caucasus,
and in the near future will be appointed as well the Ambassador
Plenipotentiary. We adhere peaceful settlement of the conflict. The
OSCE Minsk Group also should make active efforts, mobilize all
opportunities.

We are pleased very much with adherence of Azerbaijan to the “New
Neighborhood Policy” of the European Union, development of democracy
and protection of human rights in your country. We know, you have
to conduct parliamentary elections shortly and in this connection we
would like to exchange views.

At the meeting, also were exchanged views on other questions
representing mutual interest.

First vice-speaker of Milli Majlis Arif Rahimzade, vice-speakers Govhar
Bakhshaliyeva, Ziyafet Askerov and deputies took part at the meeting.