AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 31 2006
ARAZ AZIMOV: ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN CAN COME TO COMMON DENOMINATOR
[March 31, 2006, 23:08:37]
On March 30, working visit of the deputy minister of foreign affairs
of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov to Canada and the USA has come to an end.
It should be reminded, that Araz Azimov is the co-chairman from the
Azerbaijan side in the American-Azerbaijan dialogue on safety created
in 1996. The American co-chairman is John Hillen, Assistant Secretary
of State on Political-Military Affairs. Annual dialogue envisages
discussions on cooperation between two countries in military,
political spheres and in the field of security. At the present stage
of dialogue, the Azerbaijan party has been presented by delegation of
high level. Alongside with the deputy minister of foreign affairs, it
included the deputy minister of national security Fuad Iskenderov,
the deputy chief of State Frontier Service Farhad Tagizade and the
commander-in-chief of Navy Shahin Sultanov. The dialogue on safety
passed within a day on March 9 in the State Department. The agenda
included such questions, as cooperation in war with global terror,
prevention of distribution of the weapon of mass destruction,
strengthening of boundary security, activation of the
American-Azerbaijan cooperation in the international organizations.
Araz Azimov, along with participation in the dialogue, has met in
Washington with representatives of the state structures of the USA.
In talks with representatives of the Council of National Security,
Pentagon and Congress, have been considered such themes, as situation
on Southern Caucasus, ways of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
made statement in the Washington Center for Strategic and
International Studies on the topic “The Diary of Security of
Azerbaijan”.
Araz Azimov has given interview to Washington-based correspondent of
AzerTAc about results of visit to Northern America.
-You are the first official representative of Azerbaijan who has made
visit to Ottawa. At what level is the interest to Azerbaijan in this
country? What can you tell about the held discussions?
-Indeed, it is the first visit of the high-ranking delegation of the
Azerbaijan Republic to Canada. But our dialogue with Canada is going
for some years. I mean the meetings held Baku, bilateral meetings
within the multilateral forums. Canada and Azerbaijan are members of
a number of organizations. We cooperate within the Council of the
Euro-Atlantic partnership, OSCE. Though Canada geographically is far
from the Europe, nevertheless, it shows interest to processes
occurring in region and accepts in them participation. The Canadian
companies as the companies of the country rich with natural
resources, take direct participation in global power projects,
however, their interest to Azerbaijan yet cannot be named wide. For
this purpose, both parties should undertake mutual steps. First of
all, it is necessary to develop legal basis of our connections. Now
we have only one bilateral agreement. As the member of NATO, Canada
can promote performance of obligations of Azerbaijan in the
“Partnership for Peace” program. Besides, Canada has achieved
significant successes in the field of planning natural resources,
their development, creations of institutes, communications of the
state structures with private sector, information technologies, and
this experience can be useful for us.
Though it was not presented possible within one-day visit to discuss
all questions, nevertheless, we managed to concern basic problems
causing our concern. The position of Canada in the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict usually is not shown
distinctly enough. As a member of OSCE, this country till now
satisfied with only superficial moral and political support. But
gradually it is possible further approach of Canada to the given
question. In our region, there is a number of questions connected
with Canada causing our concern: for example, participation of some
Canadian companies in a number of illegal projects in Turkmenistan,
participation of the Canadian company in development of gold mines in
the occupied Kalbajar region of Azerbaijan. We have brought it to
attention of the government of Canada. But the explanations received
by us have shown, that the government of Canada do not connect itself
with the given companies and tries not to interfere with these
questions. We have listened to explanations, but have declared, that
Azerbaijan will continue to lead up the concern to the government of
Canada and to ask its help in the said questions. Certainly, simple
watching from aside will give nothing. Our embassy in Canada has been
functioning for two years. It managed to recover some of the
Azerbaijan societies in Canada. All these are the steps undertaken by
us. Simultaneously, we wait from Canada for reciprocal steps, first
of all, opening of Canadian embassy in Baku.
-The American-Azerbaijan dialogue on safety co-chairman of which you
are, is a frame mechanism. Projects initiated here are lead up to the
country leaders for reception of the right to realization. With what
concrete projects you come back in Baku after the present stage of
dialogue?
-The dialogue of safety – started in 1996 has opened opportunities
for studying questions in the field of safety between the USA and
Azerbaijan. Dialogue is necessary for strengthening even more. In
process of growth of authority and opportunities of Azerbaijan, it
will grow internationally and the threats for security. Azerbaijan
should be ready to it. The significant part of cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the USA concerns military-political sphere, area of
safety, practical works in the said spheres. Though the support
rendered by America to Azerbaijan in these fields, is up to the mark,
nevertheless, we have more requirements. Attitude of America to the
given requirements testify that it is ready to closer cooperation. As
a whole, dialogue passes positively. Issues of the agenda also have
remained unchanged: safety of Azerbaijan at national and regional
level, relations within NATO, increase of the role of OSCE in ongoing
processes, settlement of regional conflicts, the relations among the
Caspian coastal states, military-political situation in the Caspian
basin. The complex of risks and threats in the Caspian region is
complicated enough. Elements of war, terrorism, and environment are
peculiar to it. In this sense, the USA will closely cooperate with
Azerbaijan. We have achieved some agreements. Some groups of experts
will arrive in Baku. They will study opportunities of connection of
Azerbaijan to the initiative on power, sea safety, and also the
initiative put forward by the “Great 8”, against distribution of the
weapons of mass destruction.
-Whether you had touched the question connected with Iran?
-On consideration of the situation in region, discussed was and this
question. We have informed, that the 130-kilometers site of the said
border is under occupation. The threats deriving from here should be
by all means considered. Also has been discussed the conditions in
the sector of Caspian adjacent with Iran. Some steps undertaken by
Iran in this area concerns Azerbaijan. We have repeatedly declared,
that over border of neighboring countries should be peace, it is
necessary to be respectful to these borders and observe them. We also
have noted, that we have various connections, trade relations with
Iran, as with a neighboring country. Many of our compatriots live in
Iran. In this sense, Azerbaijan with interest and concern watches
development of situation in Iran. We would not like, that there was a
crisis. We are for the peace settlement of questions.
-Recently Vartan Oskanian in his statement in Washington has told,
that Armenia approaches to the Nagorno-Karabakh question from the
position of definition of self-government of the mentioned region.
Azerbaijan repeatedly declared, that has faced in Nagorno Karabakh
with a separatist regime. Under what of these aspects the United
States consider the given conflict?
– The USA directly is engaged in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
They support the quick settlement of the conflict and ready to make
active efforts in this direction. Though various expressions are
used, nevertheless, the situation all the same. It is a question of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the conflict over the
Azerbaijani land, its settlement. Azerbaijan supports joint peaceful
residing of the Armenian and Azerbaijan communities in Nagorno
Karabakh and granting to them corresponding guarantee. I am
convinced, that at any stage Azerbaijan will achieve it as we have
other way. America should understand, and Armenia – to remember, that
the Azerbaijan state not only will disagree with the partition of the
lands, but also will prevent it. It should not be perceived as
toughening of our position. It is a position of principle with which
Azerbaijan holds from the very beginning, from first day of the
conflict. We shall remain on this position. We are ready to show
corresponding flexibility in settlement of conflict. I speak it,
including addressing to my compatriots, – living in Nagorno Karabakh,
the Armenian community should be provided by self-government in any
frameworks. As the Armenians assert, political forces of Azerbaijan
support proscription of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh from this
region. It is not so. We never objected to residing of Armenians of
Nagorno Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan, in this region. On the
contrary, we consider, that these people should possess corresponding
socio-political freedom, which it is necessary to provide with. It
should not be regarded as weakness of the Azerbaijan side. Azerbaijan
as the strong, modern, democratic state is ready to provide a normal
life of each citizen of any ethnic origin. However, from both sides,
there are extreme points. It is necessary to refuse them and come to
a common denominator. The extreme position of Armenia consists that
Nagorno Karabakh never was and will not be a part of Azerbaijan. It
is necessary to refuse this position. And the Azerbaijan government
should provide the Armenian population living in Nagorno Karabakh
with model of self-government. Being based on the European models,
this model should recognize our territorial integrity, inviolability
of borders. It is not necessary to forget, that in Nagorno Karabakh
alongside with the Armenians also lived and the Azerbaijanis. In
statement of Vardan Oskanian and other politicians of Armenia they
admit distortions. They approve, that Azerbaijani population of
Nagorno Karabakh was few in number. First, it so not so, there lived
about 50-60 thousand Azerbaijanis. Secondly, what is the difference,
many, or few? Even if the point is of one thousand, value of the
given question cannot be denied. The Azerbaijani community by all
means should return to Nagorno Karabakh. We should provide use by
both communities of the same models of self-government within the
legislation of Azerbaijan. It is a constructive position of the
Azerbaijan side. We are ready to pass from such hard line, as
non-recognition of the rights of the Armenians, to such moderate
position, as maintenance of their rights. Thus, Armenia and
Azerbaijan can come to a common denominator. To name it somehow
definitely is premature, and it is unimportant. The main thing is,
that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored with
assistance of the international community, and it is necessary to
guarantee the rights of the Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh.
This question has been brought to attention of the American side. We
have discussed it with the co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group from
the USA Steven Mann. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who the next weeks
will visit Washington, will continue discussions with Mr. Steven
Mann.
-Till 2001, one of the objects of discussion of dialogue on safety
was the 907th section. It has been for some years, as it has become
invalid, but continuing, nevertheless, to remain an unfair part of
the American law. Whether the given question on discussions was
touched?
-Yes, the 907th Section is still discussed. But I should tell, that
when the section held good, owing to the work carried out within the
dialogue of safety, it was possible for US to render assistance to
Azerbaijan. Today, nobody considers this Section strong. Very soon it
will be possible to cancel it completely. But our long efforts,
political will are necessary for this purpose and comprehensible
political conditions. Though the canceling of Section is a question
of principle, nevertheless, it should not interfere with our
cooperation with the USA. As I have already told, it has become
invalid. It should serve as a good lesson for the Armenians.
-As a result of work of dialogue on safety, it became possible
creation of the American-Azerbaijan working group on economic
reforms. Whether there are plans of creation in future of working
groups on other spheres of mutual cooperation?
-Owing to efforts of dialogue on safety between the USA and
Azerbaijan, there began our cooperation not only in the field of
economic reforms, but also have begun regular contacts, meetings in
the military sphere. Other power structures also closely cooperate.
Currently, we develop programs of cooperation on the Caspian and the
basin. For realization of it, it will be possible to create
corresponding working groups in coming years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
