BAKU WANTS PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION, OPEN TO OTHER OPTIONS – AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY

Interfax
Feb 10 2009
Russia

Azerbaijan is set to continue peace talks to resolve the Karabakh
conflict, the country’s Foreign Ministry press secretary Khazar
Ibragim told Interfax-Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

"Azerbaijan has proven its commitment to the peace process to resolve
the Karabakh conflict, after years of talks with the country which
has occupied part of its territory," Ibragim said.

He was commenting on the statement by Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian, who said that, "Azerbaijan’s belligerent rhetoric
is thwarting the peace process of resolving the Karabakh conflict."

"We are committed to the peace process, although Azerbaijan has every
possibility of resolving the issue in line with international law,
by using other means permitted by the United Nations Charter and
other international documents," Ibragim said.

As for the increase of Azerbaijan’s defense budget and the buildup
of its military potential, this is a normal practice, and the country
will continue to work in this direction, the diplomat said.

"Naturally, in today’s situation, we are not going to use other methods
as we are in diplomatic talks. However, the use of other methods has
never been removed from the agenda," Ibragim said.

Baku is not going to intimidate anyone by its growing military
potential, the press secretary said.