AZERI DIPLOMAT BLAMES ARMENIA FOR SEEKING NEW BASIS OF TALKS
Trend news agency
4 Jul 06
Baku, 4 July: Consultations between foreign ministers, but not
presidents, are the basis for peace talks on the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the head of the press and
information policy department of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry,
Tahir Tagizada, has told Trend.
He expressed surprise at the latest statement of the co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk Group, which "again insists on the necessity of holding
a meeting of the presidents so that they can take the initiative".
"But everybody knows very well that contacts and talks between foreign
ministers form the basis for a negotiation process. They must discuss
a whole spectrum of issues and develop a basis for a possible future
meeting and discussions between the presidents," Tagizada said.
At the same time, he pointed out the similarity of approaches in
the statements of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen and Baku on a
stage-by-stage solution to the conflict. First, all the occupied
Azerbaijani territories around Nagornyy Karabakh are liberated,
the Armenian armed forces withdraw, demining is carried out,
internally displaced persons return, their security is ensured,
communications are restored, etc. The security of both communities
[ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians] in the Nagornyy Karabakh region
of Azerbaijan is guaranteed after the pre-war composition of its
population is restored. The legal status of the Nagornyy Karabakh
region can be determined within the framework of a democratic and
legal process, Azerbaijan’s constitution and territorial integrity.
Tagizada also expressed surprise at the latest statement of Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan. Every time Armenian continues to
eagerly look for a new basis for discussions now that there is a
well-known basis in place, Tagizada said.