Today, Azerbaijan
March 4 2007
Mammadyarov: I’d like to believe that Armenia will demonstrate a
political will
04 March 2007 [14:31] – Today.Az
GUAM summit in Baku will focus on the solution of the ‘frozen
conflicts,’ ways of preventing threats to the maintenance of
stability, said Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in
his interviewed to APA.
What will be the priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy this year?
Mainly what countries President Ilham Aliyev will visit this year?
The foreign policy priorities serving the national interests of our
country remain unchanged. Of course, these priorities are the
resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno Karabakh conflict in
the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, strengthening of
security and stability in the region and further expansion of
large-scale economic projects.
Azerbaijan should benefit from its important strategic-geographical
position between the West and East. We focus on the integration into
Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. The adoption of the European
Neighborhood Policy action plan, ongoing successful development of
cooperation with NATO within the framework of the Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) is the logical continuation of the
strategic cooperation. At the same time Azerbaijan is interested in
development of relations with eastern countries, particularly the
member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
both in the framework of the organization and development of
bilateral relations. You know, Azerbaijan is chairing the OIC this
year. Benefiting from this chance, Baku will host a large conference
"The role of the media in development of tolerance and mutual
understanding" in April this year. This conference is sure to attract
great attention of both Muslim countries and the world community and
encourage development of intercultural relations.
Are there still hopes that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be
resolved diplomatically? What trade-offs are possible from
Azerbaijani side?
I think there still exists potential of negotiations for the
resolution of the conflict in the framework of the Prague process. We
offer the highest autonomy that exists in the world practice to the
Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of the Nagorno Karabakh within
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity on condition that Armenia withdraw
its troops from the occupied territories, returning of our internally
displaced persons to their native lands and normal life condition are
ensured. In fact, this offer should be regarded a great trade-off. I
would like to believe that Armenia will demonstrate a political will.
Do you think the meeting of the heads of state is expected following
your next meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian?
The negotiations in Moscow in January this year on the core
principles of the settlement were intensive enough. We have agreed
most of the discussed issues. Regrettably, Armenia fails to
demonstrate political will. On the other hand, Armenian Diasporas in
foreign countries are posing artificial obstacles to the settlement
of the conflict. The parties have agreed to the continuation of the
foreign ministers’ meeting through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs. As to the meeting of the Presidents, this depends on
the meetings of the foreign ministers and the visits of the co-chairs
to the region.
Why does Azerbaijan fail to actively demand the implementation of the
UN Security Council’s Resolutions on the Nagorno Karabakh? When will
the ‘frozen conflicts’ in GUAM countries be debated at the UN General
Assembly? Has the text of the resolution been prepared?
I do not agree to this question. President Aliyev, Foreign Ministry
and our permanent representation to the United Nations have been
making strong efforts in this direction for many years. The
negotiating process for the settlement of the conflict has one and
the same aim. The GUAM countries are suffering from the problem of
‘frozen conflicts.’ We tried to benefit from all momentums to deliver
detailed, true information about this problem to the representatives
of the UN member states from Azerbaijani side and in the framework of
the GUAM.
Important documents such as the joint statement on the ‘frozen
conflicts’ adopted by GUAM Council of Ministers in Brussels in
December, 2006, the statements made by the representatives of the
GUAM countries at the 14th meeting of OSCE Council of Ministers and
at the sessions of the UN General Assembly can be shown as example.
GUAM countries continue to make efforts and have already agreed to
put the issue to the debate of the UN Assembly by September this year
depending on the working procedures of the Assembly.
How do you assess your visit to Kazakhstan? What documents have been
signed within the framework of the visit?
Kazakhstan recognized the sovereignty of Azerbaijan in 1992. It has
established mutual diplomatic relations with our country. Azerbaijan
and Kazakhstan are successfully cooperating in the fields of
politics, trade-economy, financing-banking system, oil-gas industry,
education, culture and some other spheres. Our countries have
concluded 88 documents.
In addition to that, Kazakhstan joined the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline project. We have more common interests now. The 15th
anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
countries will be marked this year.
During my latest visit to Kazakhstan, the discussions covered
improvement of the existing agreements on cooperation of trade,
transport, finance, law enforcement bodies, two documents on
visa-free travel and partnership between the two countries were
signed. The project of cultural events to be held within a year is
being discussed now.
As to exchange of development experience, it is necessary to take
into consideration specific features of Azerbaijan, region where a
country is situated, its economy. The development way of any country
is a unique experience. Azerbaijan has always supported positive
exchange of experience between the countries and we do not rule out
using a suitable experience in the socio-economic development of our
country in future.
What issues will be highlighted in GUAM’s summit in Baku this year?
Do you think GUAM peacekeeping forces can be deployed in Nagorno
Karabakh? What will be the OSCE’s reaction?
GUAM’s main objectives are to reinforce all-round cooperation of the
participating states, strengthen international and regional
relationships. GUAM countries face similar problems and challenges.
The organization is concerned over the aggressions against the
territorial integrity of the member states. In this context, as in
its previous meetings, the summit in Baku will focus on the solution
of the ‘frozen conflicts,’ ways of preventing threats to the
maintenance of stability.
The discussions in the summit will also focus on interparliamentary
relations, humanitarian as well as issues concerning economic and
energy security. As to the use of GUAM peacekeepers in Nagorno
Karabakh, Azerbaijan is not against activities to ensure security in
Nagorno Karabakh after Armenia withdraws from the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan. But there is an agreement that the
representatives of the OSCE and the parties to the conflict will not
participate in these activities.
In which countries Azerbaijan is expected to establish its diplomatic
representations this year?
Increasing the number of Azerbaijan’s diplomatic representations in
foreign countries create us more opportunities to pursue our foreign
policy, defend the rights and interests of our citizens and most
importantly, to widen the knowledge of the world community about
Armenia’s aggression and crimes against our country.
Last year Azerbaijan opened its embassies in Indonesia, Morocco,
Korea and Malaysia, consulate in Dubai, embassy in Egypt based in
Tripoli in Libya and embassy in Saudi Arabia based in Jeddah. New
ambassadors have been appointed to the Czech Republic and the
Netherlands. The parliament has passed relevant decision on
establishing our embassies in Sweden, Croatia, Lithuania, Qatar,
Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Argentina and Mexico.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress