Nizami Bahmanov: We will never sit under the separatists’ flag

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 21 2007

[ 21 Jul 2007 16:57 ]

European Union Special Representative for the South Caucuses,
Peter Semneby today met with Nizmai Bahmanov, head of Public Union
Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno Karabakh, APA reports.

The meeting was also attended by Azerbaijani parliament member from
Karabakh, Elman Mammadov and the community members.

Mr.Bahmanov expressed gratitude for the EU’s statement on the
"presidential elections" held in Nagorno Karabakh by the separatists.

"It is remarkable that there are some expressions in EU’s and other
statements that have never been voiced. But, regrettably, none of these
statements confess that Armenian is invader," the community head said.

Touching on Peter Semneby’s expected visit to Nagorno Karabakh in
September Bahmanov said offered him to go to occupied territories of
Azerbaijan through unoccupied territories.

"Recent mutual visits of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals showed
that this route is not dangerous."

Mr.Semneby reiterated that the EU does not recognize the "presidential
elections" held by Nagorno Karabakh separatists. He also reminded
EU’s firm support to the OSCE Minsk-Group and its efforts towards a
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The EU representative
said the visit to Nagorno Karabakh planned for July, this year has
been postponed due to objective reasons.

"I want to observe the real situation there with my own eyes through
passing the streets. In this context, I appreciate the intellectuals’
visit and should continue," he said.

Bahmanov responding to Semneby’s question on arranging a meeting of
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno Karabakh said they
will never sit under the flag of the separatists.

"There is no problem in meeting with civilians. This meeting can be
arranged in a destroyed house of an Armenian or Azerbaijani in Shusha
city," he replied. /APA/