Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 8 2006

Azeri leader sees Armenia as regional threat

Baku, May 5, AssA-Irada

There are problems hampering peace and security in the region and
fight against international terrorism is among them, President Ilham
Aliyev told the 9th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit in
Baku Friday.
The president said Azerbaijan was in favor of joining the forces of
the whole world in combating this global evil because not a single
country can cope with terrorism on its own.
`The international community should not draw any distinctions between
terrorist organizations of the world,’ he stressed.
The head of state added that Azerbaijan too was a victim of
terrorism. Aliyev said Armenian terrorist organizations had
masterminded more than 30 acts of terror against Azerbaijani
interests, which claimed the lives of over 2,000 people. The
president said further that the biggest problem impeding regional
cooperation was the continuing Armenian aggression against
Azerbaijan.
Aliyev told the summit participants that Azerbaijan was interested in
resolving the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict in peace.
`We think it is still possible to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Therefore, we have to explore all possible avenues. But at the same
time, the patience of the Azerbaijani people is not boundless,’
Aliyev said.
The president called on all ECO member-states to support Azerbaijan’s
cause. He said the development of mankind would be ensured thanks to
low risks, successful economic cooperation and energy security. He
said member-countries of the organization were located in a very
important and sensitive region, but also pointed to regional threats.
Aliyev stressed the importance of cooperation under such
circumstances.
`I have no doubt that the ECO will fulfill its mission with dignity.
Bilateral and
multilateral cooperation between member countries will be in the
interests of the whole region,’ Aliyev said.*