STATEMENT BY ALIYEV TO THE ROMANIAN DELEGATION

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Oct 12 2006

Dear Mr. President,

Dear members of the Romanian delegation,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Official visit of the President of Romania Mr. Traian Besescu to
Azerbaijan is very important step in mutual relations. Our countries
successfully cooperate. Romania became the second state, which has
recognized independence of Azerbaijan, and after restoration of our
state independence, we constantly feel support of Romania. And today
we see this support and we wish to express to the President of Romania,
the Romanian government our deep gratitude.

Our relations are multilateral. Now, we have intensive political
dialogue. I should note that for the last of one and a half year we
have had many meetings with Mr. Besescu. Today’s is the fourth. It
testifies that we have close enough contacts, we constantly
have consultations, wide exchange of vies. And today we had very
sincere, open negotiations, both at the meeting in private, and with
participation of delegations. Discussed were numerous questions
– bilateral relations, economic, political links, integration of
Azerbaijan to Euro-Atlantic structures and support by Romania of this
policy, large energy projects, successful oil strategy of Azerbaijan
and principles of the further cooperation. All these questions were
in the center of attention. On all these questions, we had wide
exchange of opinions, and we had no disagreements. It is the pleasant
phenomenon; it once again testifies that mutual relations are carried
out in wide format. These relations are multilateral, cover various
spheres and, certainly, create fine ground for all-around development
of our relations.

Besides, discussed were the processes ongoing in region, situation
in region, issues of strengthening safety measures. Our region
possesses huge opportunities, greater prospects. The role and
growing opportunities of Azerbaijan in cause of updating of transport
infrastructure, opening of new transport corridors, deliveries of
energy carriers to the world and European markets, strengthening of
power safety of the Europe, certainly, bring region to very important
point.

If to consider, that joint activity of regions of the Black and
Caspian seas are realities of today, then, strengthening of stability,
strengthening of security measures in region very much interest and
disturb us. These ideas have sounded at the Black Sea forum taken place
in Romania, Bucharest. Tendencies of cooperation observed in our region
set basis of regional interaction in a wide format. There is no doubt
that importance of joint efforts of Romania and Azerbaijan in this
cause is obvious. Considering all this, I wish to tell once again, that
all we are interested in establishment of peace and safety in region.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the source of
the basic threat in region. This conflict can lead to infringement of
stability in region, and it is a huge obstacle in a way of regional
cooperation. The position of Azerbaijan remains constant: Nagorno
Karabakh is the Azerbaijan land both form historical, and legal points
of view. We demand execution of four Resolutions of the United Nations
Organization on this question and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian
occupational forces from the our lands that the people ousted form
their native lands as a result of ethnic cleaning pursued by Armenian
politicians against Azerbaijanis, could return to their homes. That
the consequences of policy of ethnic cleaning have been eliminated,
and the question has found its solution on the basis of norms and
principles of international law.

Azerbaijan recognizes territorial integrity of all countries and,
certainly, demands recognition of its territorial integrity. I can
tell that the world, except for Armenia, recognizes territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has entered the United Nations
Organization together with Nagonro Karabakh. Therefore, the question
can find solution exclusively in a legal plane, and our position
remains constant. For safety of Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh,
various measures can be taken. We already spoke, I wish to repeat
it and today, that Nagorno Karabakh can be given the status of high
autonomy in structure of Azerbaijan. However, questions of annexation
of Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, creation in territory of Azerbaijan of
the second Armenian state are not and will not be theme of discussion.

The position of Romania on the given question pleases, and
inspires us. The position of Romania has found reflection in
the Joint Declaration signed today. We are very grateful to the
Romanian government, the President of Romania for this position,
this approach. Such position should extend on all conflicts. All
conflicts can find solution as a result of a single approach, without
any exception.

If there will be any exception, his can lead to very bitter
conclusions. In the world, in Europe, in our region, there are similar
conflicts and if it will find solution on some principles but not
on the international law, the entire region will suffer from this. I
reiterate and consider that Azerbaijan’s position plays principle role
in settlement of the question, and our position is supported. We feel
this support and this support gradually grows.

I would hope that Azerbaijan joining the European Neighboring Policy,
in settlement of the conflict could benefit also from Europe’s
opportunities. We much want that along with the Minsk Group,
other organizations, too, stated their positions related to this
question, and took active part in this cause. We are very pleased
that on initiative of the GUAM countries, the question of "frozen
conflicts" was put on the agenda of the 61st session of the General
Assembly of the United Nations. The State of Romania has disclosed its
position in this question, has supported position of Azerbaijan and
GUAM countries. I repeat that all these are evidence to our sincere
relations, and current visit of the Romanian President to Azerbaijan
will strengthen our relations much more. We wish it, and we want it.

Romania is our close and friendly country. I am confident that our
relations will further widen, deepen and our peoples will become
closer. Thank you.