FOREIGN MINISTERS OF AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO MEET ON OCTOBER 31

Today.Az
18.html
Oct 30 2008
Azerbaijan

The Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia will hold
a meeting in Moscow on October 31 and they will meet with the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs on November 1.

The due announcement was made by acting Foreign minister of Azerbaijan
Elmar Mamedyarov, according to Interfax-Azerbaijan.

"The results of these meetings will be presented to the presidents
after which they will conduct talks", said Mamedyarov.

As for the announcement about possible recognition of independence of
Nagorno Karabakh, Mamedyarov said that this is not a subject of talks.

"The conflict has two parties – Azerbaijan and Armenia. As for the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno Karabakh they earlier
participated until Armenia decided to speak on behalf of the Armenian
community.

Therefore, I consider it senseless to change the format of talks",
said he commenting on Yerevan’s announcement about the need to involve
Karabakh Armenians into the negotiation process.

"Azerbaijan is certainly recognizing the principle of
self-determination as our country is the UN member and participant
of the Helfinki fila act. This is one of the international principles.

But on the other hand, self-determination does not mean that you can
violate the territorial integrity by way of force. If we consider the
principles of international law, the principle of territorial integrity
is the main one among them. As for the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians,
as I have repeatedly stated they are the Azerbaijani citizens.

Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani population of Nagorno Karabakh
was driven away by force. Therefore, our position is as follows:
first the Azerbaijani population must return to Nagorno Karabakh,
peaceful co-existence must be ensured and normal political and
economic conditions should be created, after that we will speak of
the possibility to define the status", said Mamedyarov siting such
status of Tatarstan within Russia as an example,

"In other words, Nagorno Karabakh will get the highest degree of
autonomy in the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan",
concluded the acting foreign minister.