Baku Today, Azerbaijan
May 27 2007

Azerbaijani FM About Lachin Corridor and Peace Keepers

Turan 27/05/2007 22:21

"I agree with French OSCE MG co-chairman Bernard Fassier that
military solution to the Karabakh conflict is unacceptable. The
sooner the conflict is settled, the better it is for Armenia and
Azerbaijan and for the whole region," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamedyarov told journalists while commenting on the co-chairs’
statements made at the press conference in Baku.

The minister once again reiterated the need for adoption of the main
principles of settlement by the sides, on the basis of which a future
peace agreement will be signed. These principles remain unchanged:
Armenia must withdraw troops and refugees will return to their native
lands, said the Minister.

The remaining issues have not been agreed on yet. The sooner
Armenia’s administration understands that the conflict must be
settled within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,
the sooner it will be solved. Of course, we need time for that, said
Mamedyarov.

The term of reasonable width of the Lachin corridor is not
accidental. The Lachin road passes through the mountains.

"Considering security of traffic, we have agreed to place
peace-keeping troops in this zone," added Minister. "Military experts
must take into consideration possible points of fire, from which the
road is clearly visible. It is most important to avoid the resumption
of military activities," said Mamedyarov.

The term of placement of peacekeeping troops and their composition
remains open to discussion. Mamedyarov recalled that peace-keeping
troops must not include representatives of countries of the region,
nor countries of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen.