EUROPEAN OFFICIAL CALLS AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA FOR PEACEFUL KARABAKH SOLUTION

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku

23 Aug 05

[Presenter] The president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe [PACE], Rene van der Linden, has ended his visit
to Azerbaijan. At a news conference he gave on the results of his
meetings, the PACE president said that Baku and Yerevan should resolve
the Nagornyy Karabakh problem peacefully if they wanted to continue
the course of integration into Europe.

[Linden at news conference, speaking in English with Azeri voice-over]
As newly-elected president of PACE, I visited countries which have
recently become members of the body [as heard]. I discussed the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conflict
might be solved only in a peaceful manner. If Azerbaijan wants to
join the European Union, then it must solve the conflict, but only
peacefully. I am convinced that this is important to the region’s
future. Only in this way the region will become a stable part of Europe
in the future. I am very pleased at the fact the presidents of the two
countries base their positions on this principle alone. Moreover,
a peaceful solution to the conflict is important to Armenia as
well. Because it is currently in isolation in the region. It should
have economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.

[Passage omitted: reported details]

[Linden] There are difficult times ahead for the two countries. A
referendum and a parliamentary election will be held in Armenia and
Azerbaijan respectively. I think that the two countries have to carry
out these events as transparently as possible which will give a then
a good chance of showing the development of democracy.