OSCE SPECIAL ENVOY: NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD BE SOLVED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

Azeri Press Agency
July 30 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva -APA. OSCE Chairman-in-Office Special Envoy
Heikki Talvitie has held press conference on outcomes of his visit
to Azerbaijan today, APA reports

Talvitie touched upon Nagorno Karabakh conflict and noted that he
supported continuation of dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and
expected meeting of Foreign Ministers of the two countries. Special
Envoy noted that it would better if Foreign Ministers of the two
countries met before the elections.

"We hope that dialogue between the sides will be conducted after
elections as well. Dialogue based on core principles and will
further continue on these principles. Nagorno Karabakh conflict
should be solved within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. Territorial integrity and status of Nagorno Karabakh are
not in contradiction with each other. Same situation has occurred in
Moldova and Georgia. Continuation of negotiations means that there are
principles for good results. I hope that there will be new meetings
after presidential elections in Azerbaijan," he said. Talvitie touched
upon upcoming presidential elections.

"OSCE is for assessment of election process. Azerbaijani Government
should ensure democratic and transparent elections. We have conducted
discussions on freedom of assembly during the meetings with Baku
Main Police Department Chief and Baku Mayor and opposition," he
said. Talvitie added that Election Code and law on freedom of assembly
coincide with international norms.

"The main issue is implementation of these laws. OSCE is ready to
assist those, who implement these laws," he said.

Special Envoy stressed that freedom of speech is one of the main
principles of democracy.