ARAZ AZIMOV: AZERBAIJAN WILL NOT ALLOW CHANGING THE STATUS OF LACHIN CORRIDOR

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 24 2007

"Azerbaijan always had a principle position on the settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We support peaceful solution to the
conflict and are ready to use all resources," Azerbaijani Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said, APA reports.

Azimov said that Azerbaijani will agree to cooperate with Armenia
only on condition that there is normal situation for it, first of
all Azerbaijani territories have to be liberated and Armenia has to
recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

The Deputy Minister also stated that Azerbaijani will not allow
liberating adjacent regions of Nagorno Karabakh under any conditions.

Liberating seven regions is now being negotiated.

"The liberated territories will have to be cleared, and it will be
implemented with support of international organizations. One of the
main problems will be mineclearance. It will take much time," he said.

Araz Azimov said the people will be brought back after rehabilitation.

He underlined impossibility of bringing back the IDPS to Nagorno
Karabakh is at initial stage.

"First of all, liberation of seven regions has to be solved. Security
issues have to be solved so that Azerbaijanis can return there.

Azerbaijanis will be brought back there only when security issues
are solved, and the two communities may live together. The issue on
autonomy will be out of discussion unless security issues are solved,"
he said.

Araz Azimov said referendum on the status of Nagorno Karabakh can be
held and underlined that it will be held all over the country.

Commenting on Lachin corridor, the deputy minister said this corridor
is regarded as a contact road of Armenia with Nagorno Karabakh
Armenians, two sides of the road can be commissioned.

"If Armenia wants to cooperate with Azerbaijan, it has to consider
joint use of this road. Azerbaijan will not allow changing the status
of the corridor. This road is Azerbaijani territory and it will not
change. The negotiations should also determine the terms of Armenia’s
using this road," he said.