Azeri diplomat says OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs visit “effective”

Turan news agency
18 Jul 05

Baku, 18 July: [Azerbaijani] Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov today
gave a press conference on the results of the visits to Azerbaijan
and Armenia by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen.

He said that the meetings held by the co-chairmen in Baku were
“effective and fruitful”. “All aspects and issues were discussed,”
Azimov noted. At the same time, he described the negotiating process as
“hard and complicated”.

“One cannot say that agreements were reached. Azerbaijan demonstrated
a constructive position in all meetings. We would like the opposing
side to be constructive too, otherwise whatever has been achieved
will be lost,” Azimov said.

Azimov described Armenia’s position on some issues as non-constructive
altogether. “Lately, Armenia has been engaging in numerous disputes
and speculation. A peace treaty meeting the interests of only one
side is impossible,” Azimov said.

He said that the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers are
expected to meet in Moscow on 23 August in order to prepare the meeting
between their presidents to be held in Kazan on 26 August. Azimov said
that the Armenian side is trying to introduce “new elements” into
the negotiating process, which are not a subject of the talks.

“Now there is a great chance of achieving peace, which may be lost
due to the opposing side. I am calling on the Armenian side to use
this opportunity,” Azimov said. He did not specify what exactly the
Armenians may lose.

In reply to questions, Azimov partly touched upon complications that
have arisen. “Azerbaijan’s territories must be returned. In this
context, it is impossible to claim Azerbaijani territories under the
guise of a corridor. The Armenians may use a road passing through
the Lacin corridor. However, the town of Lacin itself cannot remain
under occupation,” Azimov said.

He also expressed his opinion on the status of Nagornyy Karabakh. He
said that this issue may be resolved only with the participation of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Nagornyy Karabakh.

“Some of the people currently living in Nagornyy Karabakh are
Armenians who came from abroad. The local Armenians, who are citizens
of Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijanis, must themselves determine
their status. For this, the Azerbaijani population must return to the
territories being liberated, and mutual trust and economic relations
must be restored,” Azimov sad.

He denied earlier media reports that only five occupied districts
around Karabakh would be liberated. The question of liberating seven
occupied districts is now being discussed. However, it is too early
to talk about any agreement, Azimov said.

Azimov categorically denied reports about a forthcoming referendum in
Karabakh. “A referendum is not a subject of the talks. We are ready
for any kind of cooperation within the framework of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Under the Azerbaijani constitution, there can
only be a nationwide referendum, or no referendum at all,” Azimov said.

The opening of the Agdam-Xankandi[Stepanakert]-Susa-Lacin-Sisyan-Sahbuz
road will serve the cause of normalizing relations and restoring
cooperation and trust between the peoples. The Minsk Group co-chairmen
support Azerbaijan on this issue. Turkey is also ready to open
communications. It all depends on Armenia, Azimov said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress