AzerNews, Azerbaijan
June 23 2005

No light at the end of the tunnel

The talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers held in
Paris on Friday were ‘comprehensive, serious and beneficial’, Azeri
officials have said.
The ministers held a meeting attended by the co-chairs of the OSCE
Minsk Group (MG) mediating the Upper Garabagh conflict settlement.
The intermediaries also met with each minister in private.

Liberation of the occupied territories, the return of displaced
persons home and other issues were discussed.
The parties did not reach any specific agreements but their positions
‘drew closer’ on some issues, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov
said on Monday.
“The return of occupied territories is a pivotal issue for
Azerbaijan. This however, does not mean settling the conflict yet, as
a number of other problems will remain to be solved.”
Azimov told a news briefing that to achieve a conflict resolution,
the contempt between the two nations should be done away with, while
Azerbaijan and Armenia should start cooperating.
Among other key issues discussed in Paris was the co-existence of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Upper Garabagh. The issue of
granting Garabagh the status of self-administration is currently not
being discussed, the Deputy Foreign Minister said.
“The status of the region should be determined with the involvement
of all people living here. For this to be possible, all refugees must
return home.”
Azimov said Azerbaijan proposed to ensure a transportation link
between Upper Garabagh and Armenia, which is ‘currently under
scrutiny’. The proposal dwells upon restoring and opening the road
connecting Aghdam, Khankandi, Shusha, Lachin, the Goris and Sisian
regions of Armenia, and Shahbuz, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, with
further access to Turkey. Certainly, the road may open after the
occupied territories are liberated, said Azimov.
The Deputy Foreign Minister noted that the sides are interested in
opening this road, as it goes through residential areas populated by
both Azerbaijanis and Armenians.
“This road would facilitate restoring trust between Azerbaijani and
Armenian residents in the region. Opening of the road has not only
pragmatic but also political importance.”
In reply to a question whether the road will open before or after the
status of Garabagh is determined, Azimov said ‘it will be an
important step in the peace process leading to the status
determination’. As for financing issues, he said the road will not
require considerable funds, as it already exists and it is necessary
only to restore it in some areas and build small sections along the
route.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said a donor conference will be held on
the initiative of the OSCE Minsk Group after Azerbaijan and Armenia
reach an accord. Considerable funds will be required to restore the
liberated land, establish infrastructure and implement mine clearing
operations there, which cannot be done on account of the Azerbaijani
government alone, Azimov said.
“The European Union and other international organizations have
already said they will allocate funds for the purpose. Moreover, some
donor countries have stated they will be involved in the process on
the individual basis.”
The Deputy Foreign Minister noted that peacekeeping forces will be
stationed in the conflict zone after the conflict is resolved.
“It has been agreed that co-chairing countries [France, United States
and Russia] will not be included in these forces. The precise make-up
of peacekeepers will be determined as results are achieved in peace
talks.”
The MG co-chairs will visit Baku next month. The visit is likely to
take place on July 10 or 11. Its precise date will be determined
shortly. The intermediaries will leave Baku for Yerevan.
“Azerbaijan would like for the co-chairs to come up with concrete
proposals during their visit to the region”, Azimov said.
The next meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will be
held in Kazan, Russia late in August as part of the summit of the
Commonwealth of Independent States, the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

Azerbaijan suggested that the two countries’ foreign ministers meet
again at least twice before the presidents’ meeting.
“In general, the Azerbaijani side wants the negotiating process to be
stepped up”, Azimov said. He emphasized that it is time to continue
the negotiations on the level of experts.
With regard to the so-called ‘elections’ held by Garabagh
separatists, Azimov said this may be prevented only through peace.
“The conflict must be resolved within democracy and Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Our position was fully supported by the MG
co-chairs.”
The mediators said at the Paris meeting that they consider the regime
in Garabagh illegitimate and do not recognize the results of the
‘elections’.

‘No progress’
Armenian foreign minister Oskanian says that talks with his Azeri
counterpart Mammadyarov were fruitless.
“Although the Presidents are taking little steps forward, no progress
was achieved at the Paris meeting.”
Oskanian was quoted by Radio Liberty as saying that the discussions
covered all areas – from the status of Upper Garabagh to refugees’
problems and security.
“The issue of peacekeepers was also discussed but negotiating this is
premature. The status of Garabagh is the most important issue for
Yerevan and until it is determined, other issues should not be
considered.”
Oskanian also said that ‘the foreign ministers failed to revitalize
the agreement reached by the two presidents in Warsaw’.
“We agreed to continue the talks and will probably meet again in
July”, he said.