FM says peace talks focus on return of occupied land

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 18 2005

Baku, July 15, AssA-Irada — The Azerbaijan-Armenia talks on the Upper
Garabagh conflict settlement are focusing on the return of the seven
regions around Upper Garabagh, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
said on Friday.

Baku has reiterated its position on the matter during the recent visit
by the mediating OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to Azerbaijan, he said.

Mammadyarov and his Armenian counterpart Oskanian are due to hold
talks in Moscow on August 22 four days prior to the meeting of the
two countries’ Presidents in the Russian city of Kazan.

With regard to reports on holding a referendum on the Garabagh status
in the future, the Minister regarded this as ‘subversion of Armenian
sources’, as an agreement may be reached strictly within Azerbaijan’s
Constitution.

Mammadyarov continued that the parties have already come to terms on
some of the ‘elements’.

“After the Warsaw meeting, the Presidents instructed foreign ministers
to coordinate certain details. The elements that we do not agree
upon will be further put on discussion of the next meeting of the
two Presidents.”

The Minister emphasized that peace talks continue and it is premature
to speak of reaching a certain agreement. He did not rule that the
Azeri and Armenian communities of Upper Garabagh main joint the
negotiating process in the future, but said this is possible only
after Azerbaijanis that were driven out of their land return home
and an ‘end is put to ethnic cleansing in the region’.*