AZERI DEPUTY MINISTER COMMENTS ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT, NATO MEMBERSHIP
ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Dec 10 2007
[Presenter] The Baku government is considering the document submitted
by the [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairmen on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
settlement to the sides. Only after this consideration is over, will
any opinion be voiced, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has said.
[Correspondent] The Baku government still does not have specific
information about the document presented to the sides by the
co-chairmen at their Madrid meeting. Deputy Foreign Minister Araz
Azimov also said that the document would be considered by experts
first and it would be then discussed by political circles. The deputy
foreign minister said that the document reflected the co-chairmen’s
opinions and that it was difficult to say whether the proposals met
Azerbaijan’s interests.
[Azimov speaking to journalists, captioned] The co-chairmen’s
statements are their own opinions in the first place, these are words
that express their own thoughts. If someone says that this document
suits us best, this should not be taken for granted. This document
has to be studied and considered.
[Correspondent] Azimov did not conceal that there were some doubts
about the new proposals. One of the proposals is about the creation
of a mechanism for ensuring the life of the population in the region
based on equal principles, both in terms of security and social
and economic development, and within the framework of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. The temporary use of this mechanism in some
form could stabilize the situation in the region. Araz Azimov said
that the main idea behind the proposals known to him was the vacation
of Azerbaijani lands.
Commenting on the deployment of PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] bases
in Karabakh, the deputy foreign minister said that the Baku government
was concerned about these reports.
[Azimov] This is not something surprising. It could be expected that
Armenians would enter into collusion with some terrorists because
this is not the first time Armenian terrorist organizations have
established relationships with other terrorist organizations and
cooperated with them. The deployment of the PKK there could once
again demonstrate to the world community the fairness of our demands.
[Correspondent] Araz Azimov also commented on Azerbaijan’s NATO
membership. He believes that NATO membership does not depend on
Azerbaijan alone. This is a bilateral and even multilateral process.
The opinions of Azerbaijan, NATO and other sides should be sought.
The deputy minister described NATO membership as a road with many
lanes. The opinion of both NATO, Azerbaijan and others should be
taken into consideration in this issue, he said.
[Azimov] Therefore, after everyone is ready, Azerbaijan will
contemplate the membership issue, and it is doing so already now. But
[we are considering] this membership issue not because of NATO’s
beautiful eyes. No matter how positive we are about NATO, if this
membership does not meet our interests, we will not even think
about it.
[Correspondent] Azimov believes that although NATO membership could
help solve Azerbaijan’s potential problems, other interested sides
should not be allowed to take advantage of this issue.