ALIYEV: WE WERE SURPRISED AT STATES WHICH OPPOSED UN RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.03.2008 14:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Baku eyes the UN-adopted resolution as Azerbaijan’s
regular diplomatic and political success, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said.

"The UN has once again confirmed the principles essential for the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, these being inviolability
of borders, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, return of refugees who
fled after the ethnic cleansing Armenia carried out. This resolution
fully meets all norms and principles of the international law and
reflects the essence of the negotiation process. We are glad that it
passed and thank all states which supported us."

"As to the European Union, its member states decided to abstain from
the vote, since the EU is an organization of the highest discipline. We
were surprised at position of the countries which voted against,
including the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states – France, the U.S. and
Russia. However, the explanation they furnished after the vote is
quite positive. The co-chair states confirmed support of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and said they do not recognize independence of
Nagorno Karabakh. On the whole, this wording was known before but we
view it as an attempt to smooth over the disappointment of the Azeri
people about the unconsidered decision to oppose the resolution. I
think that these states should have abstained. Their opposition to
the resolution undermined the peaceful process, since our resolution
supports the MG activities," Aliyev said.

"True, restoration of territorial integrity and return of refugees
have never been contested by the Minsk Group. If the Co-chairs want
to make negotiation process public, let them do it down to the details.

Nagorno Karabakh will never be separated from Azerbaijan," Aliyev
told Interfax.