BAKU: Deputy FM calls on Armenia to alter position

Deputy FM calls on Armenia to alter position

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 19 2005

Baku, July 18, AssA-Irada — Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has
called on Armenia to alter its position and show ‘constructiveness’
in the next round of talks on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Upper Garabagh.

“Azerbaijan showed quite a constructive position in the talks of late
and now it is Armenia’s turn…The Armenian side should be active
in the negotiations and make changes to its position. Otherwise,
the chances acquired for the conflict resolution will be missed”,
he told a news conference on Monday.

Azimov said that if an agreement is not reached, Azerbaijan will change
its stance. “If peaceful conflict resolution turns out impossible,
Azerbaijan will retract its current position”, he said.

Azimov therefore called on the Armenian government ‘not to miss
the chance’.

With regard to the last visit by mediators to the region, the
Deputy Foreign Minister said it could be considered ‘important and
beneficial’.

“The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs held detailed discussions on all
principles of the conflict resolution. But it is premature to cite
any results of such visits.”

The Deputy Foreign Minister also said that some issues remain to
be agreed upon and the talks between the conflicting sides are
challenging.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress