NOVRUZ MAMMADOV: ‘ALL THE INITIATIVES FOR THE RESTORATION OF PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS CAN ONLY BE REALIZED THROUGH THE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT’

Day.az
Sept 16 2008
Azerbaijan

16 September: A Day.az interview with the head of the foreign relations
department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Executive Staff, Novruz
Mammadov.

[Correspondent] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has flown to Moscow
for the talks with Russian counterpart Dmitriy Medvedev scheduled
to take place on Tuesday [16 September]. What is your comment on
the visit?

[Mammadov] The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Russian
president. I think that in the course of this visit, there will be
comprehensive exchange of opinions on mutual relations and regional
problems against the backdrop of the latest events in the region. There
is a need for this.

[Correspondent] After the notorious events in Georgia, Turkey and other
states have come up with various initiatives for the strengthening
of peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. Can those
initiatives have a wholesome effect on the process of settling the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict around the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict?

[Mammadov] We exactly count on it that, all these initiatives, all
these proposals for the restoration of peace, stability and security
in the South Caucasus can be realized through the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. Nothing can be achieved without it. And
the head of our state has channelled all resources inside and outside
the country exactly for this end. No talk is possible without it.

[Correspondent] Can the latest events in Georgia have any consequences
on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict or they do not
depend on each other?

[Mammadov] Sometimes, negative consequences of some events have
positive and constructive impact on other issue. In this context,
it is possible. Nevertheless, it is difficult to speak ahead of time.

[Correspondent] Azerbaijan’s neighbours in the South Caucasus
distinguish themselves categorically with unambiguousness of the
foreign policies: if the president of Georgia has unambiguously
oriented to the West, then Armenia to Russia. What dividends can
Azerbaijan gain from its multi-vector policy?

[Mammadov] I want to highlight this point: small states should not
conduct such a policy, it is always fraught with national catastrophe
and tragedy. That’s it. We know this very well and therefore,
the conception of the foreign policy course, founded by [former]
President Heydar Aliyev, is the most exemplary, wise and far-sighted
up until now.