Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 8 2008
Bernard Fassier: `The main issue is now when Azerbaijan and Armenian
presidents will consider the meeting necessary’ ` EXCLUSIVE
[ 08 May 2008 11:01 ]
`If there will be progresses toward the solution of Nagrono Karabakh
conflict, it can have positive impact on normalization of relations
between Turkey and Armenia’
Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubeyli -APA. OSCE Minsk Group French Co-Chair
Bernard Fassier’s interview to APA
-How do you evaluate the last meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
foreign ministers?
-I am pleased that the meeting of foreign ministers took place. It was
very important meeting, because Armenian foreign minister is new. It
was important in terms of acquaintance of the ministers, on the other
hand it was important as the first meeting after the three-month
break. It was the first meeting after the co-chairs’ visit to the
region in January this year and presidential elections in Armenia. It
was important meeting for that reason as well.
-Was the next meeting of the co-chairs to the region discussed at the
meeting of the ministers?
-The visit of co-chairs was not the main cause of our meeting. We
aimed to review the negotiation process and to discuss the ways of
development of the negotiations after the acquaintance of the
ministers. As a result of the meeting both ministers assured
themselves and us in future development of the negotiations. This
process can develop within the next weeks or months. Revival of the
negotiations may create opportunities for the meeting of the
presidents one day. Of course, the meeting will take place if the
presidents consider it necessary. The ministers agreed to report to
the presidents about their meeting in detail. We should wait for the
opinions of the presidents. Visit of the co-chairs also depends on the
decision of the presidents about their meeting. After this decision we
have to organize their meeting more successfully. This process will be
realized within the co-chairs’ visit to region or the meeting between
the ministers. The main issue
is now when the presidents will consider the meeting necessary.
-Will the co-chairs prepare new proposals until the meeting of the
presidents?
-Submission of new proposals is not on the agenda at present. After
the Madrid meeting there are even written proposals on the table. Some
details of these proposals should be clarified. We should review how
the sides accept these proposals and what is necessary to change or to
amend. In other words, it demands to work on these proposals, but we
are not in that phase of the process now.
Meeting of familiarization of Presidents and Foreign Ministers is
important at present. We will determine direct of the issue after that
and will make clear open issues. We should work on amendments to the
proposals.
-Presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan this year. How will
it influence on the process of negotiations?
We can negotiate with Foreign Ministers of the two countries, if we
achieve to hold a meeting of Presidents. All these issues will be
productive for period after elections and pre-election.
-French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said at the meeting with his
Armenian counterpart that he did not understand why Turkey had closed
border with Armenia by now. Is it true that France does not know the
reason of it as a country participating in solution to Nagorno
Karabakh conflict? Turkey has announced that it is linked with
occupation of Azerbaijan’s lands by Armenia¦
I cannot say the position of France on Nagorno Karabakh conflict. This
conflict is not only important for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but all
regions. France considers Armenia and Azerbaijan as a friend
traditionally and its position on it is completely impartial. We have
bilateral relations with Azerbaijan. Former Azerbaijani President
Heydar Aliyev and current President Ilham Aliyev have personal
relations with French leadership. It would be development factor if
the borders were open not only between Turkey and Armenia, but between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. Nobody is interested in poverty and unlucky of
its neighbor. Closed borders do not impede air route of Armenians to
Turkey and their work in Turkey. It shows that relations between the
two countries have not disturbed completely. We hope peaceful solution
to the difficult problems between the two countries. Relations between
Turkey and Armenia will be normal; if there is progress in the
solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey will have positive influence on Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. It is possible to achieve parallel solution to both
of issues.