KARABAKH SETTLEMENT TALKS GOING IN NEW FORMAT – ALIYEV

ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 12 2006

BAKU, April 12 (Itar-Tass) – The talks on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement are going in a new format that meets the national interests
of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev has said.

He said at one of border outposts in the northwest of Azerbaijan on
Wednesday that the new format also “creates a basis for territorial
integrity of the country”.

“We don’t want war, but we are building our military potential for
strengthening security of the country. Our military expenditures are
with growing with its growth too, Aliyev said.

He added that the state budget had increased “four times over the
past four years”.

Aliyev stressed the importance of strengthening the state border,
saying that in the globalisation period, “threats and dangers are
arising: terrorism, illicit drug turnover and contraband”.

“Our borders should be open for friends and closed for enemies.

Azerbaijan should be able to defend itself and the Azerbaijani people
should live in security”.

The president promised that the state would allocate in 2006-07
additional funds for equipment of borders.

He said that “by strengthening its borders, Azerbaijan strengthens
its security”.