Azerbaijan News Service
June 20 2005

DEPUTY FA MINISTER COMMENTS MEETING BETWEEN FA MINISTERS OF
AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA
2005-06-20 20:27

FA ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia had exchange of views on
release of occupied Azerbaijani lands, and ensuring security and
normal living conditions of both Azerbaijanis and Armenians in the
region after the release of lands. Azerbaijan and Armenia can reach
an agreement on restoration of motor transport, said Araz Azimov,
deputy FA minister of Azerbaijan on press conference on June 20.
Restoration of the highway has an important role in defining status
of Daqliq Qarabaq, stated Mr. Azimov. According to him, official Baku
proposed to Yerevan a variant considering restoration of highway
between Azerbaijani cities Aghdam and Shahbuz, passing through Daqliq
Qarabaq, occupied by Armenians Azerbaijani region Lachin and
territory of Armenia. The Armenian side is considering this variant
of restoration of highway. Azerbaijan looks forward to positive
settlement of the question that will allow us to settle a number of
other issues concerning both two sides, noted Araz Azimov. Azerbaijan
considers restoration of transport communications with Armenia as an
important mean of regulation of Armenia-Azerbaijan Daqliq Qarabaq
conflict. Aghdam-Shahbuz highway has both practical and political
importance, added Mr. Azimov. He said restoration of the highway
would contribute to settlement of problem `Lachin Corridor’, joining
Daqliq Qarabaq with Armenia. Besides, access of the highway to Turkey
increases its political importance. The best guarantee of the highway
is its mutual use by Azerbaijan and Armenia, said Araz Azimov. He
mentioned that in general there developed more constructive relations
between Azerbaijan and Armenia recently and chances of the sides to
the conflict to reach an agreement increased. Deputy minister
informed that president Ilham Aliyev presented conception of
regulation of Daqliq Qarabaq conflict in recent meeting of presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Warsaw that caused positive reaction of
Russia, the USA and France, cochairmen of OSCE and FA ministers of
these countries that took part at the meeting. The deputy minister
also said FA ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are expected to meet
for several times till the meeting of presidents of these countries
that is planned on August 26 in Kazan. Co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk
group are expected to visit the region beginning from Baku.