BAKU ACCUSES YEREVAN OF EVADING DIRECT TALKS

Regnum, Russia
Sept 26 2006

Breakthrough in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is unlikely
due to Armenia’s evading direct negotiations with Azerbaijan and
sticking to a destructive approach in the conflict management, minister
of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov said talking Sep 25
at the 61th session of UN General Assembly in New York, Day.az reports.

According to the minister, "there are two main issues on which
the sides confront – defining the status of the Nagorno Karabakh
region and withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied Azerbaijani
territories." "The status cannot be decided upon today, is has to
be decided by means of a democratic and legal process with direct
participation of both Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the
Nagorno Karabakh region," Mamedyarov said.

"Our position is based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security
Council and OSCE decisions that demand immediate withdrawal of the
occupation forces from all the occupied territories, and restoration
of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," Azerbaijan
foreign ministry head declared. Only after that, he says, can Armenia
join regional economic projects, which would positively affect the
whole region development and strengthen mutual trust.