PRESIDENTIAL AIDE ACCUSES USA OF NEGLECTING AZERI INTERESTS
Turan news agency
April 17 2009
Azerbaijan
Text of interview of Novruz Mammadov, head of the foreign relations
department of the Azerbaijani presidential administration, with
private Azerbaijani news agency Turan
Baku, 17 April: How true are the reports that the parties [Azerbaijan
and Armenia] are close to or have already reached an agreement on
the basic principles of the [Nagornyy] Karabakh conflict? Asked this
question, Mammadov said that "there is nothing specific". Despite
many meetings and active involvement by the co-chairs [of the OSCE
Minsk Group], Armenia’s position either changes every time or new
elements appear in it and negotiations drag on. Apparently, the
Armenian authorities are doing so intentionally, he said.
[Correspondent] Is it possible to negotiate on the basic principles?
[Novruz Mammadov] The proposed option of the settlement is a
stage-by-stage process. However, the Armenian side, per se, blocks
its implementation and refuses to vacate the occupied territories
around Nagornyy Karabakh. All these hinder reaching an agreement
on the basic principles. Now the Armenians are more busy with the
problem of the opening of borders with Turkey and unfortunately the
EU and the USA indulge Armenians.
[Correspondent] What kind of impact will the opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border have on relations between Ankara and Baku?
Mammadov said that it would have "a certain result". "Adequate steps
are possible by our side and it is natural," Mammadov underlined. He
went on to say that Azerbaijan has an important geopolitical position
and that those who ignore and underestimate Azerbaijan’s interests
may pay a high price for that.
If borders open, of course, it will affect the relations between
Ankara and Baku as well. Turkey has taken certain commitments and
refusing them will have consequences, Mammadov says.
He denied reports that the current visit by [President] Ilham Aliyev
to Moscow is a confirmation of Azerbaijan’s policy change.
The visit was planned several months ago and such interpretations
are groundless, Mammadov underlined.
[Correspondent] How are Azerbaijani-US relations?
Answering this question, Mammadov made it clear that the Western
partners do not value the partnership relations with Azerbaijan, which
has implemented projects of huge significance, but it [Azerbaijan]
has not seen relevant assessment. Such an unjust attitude towards
Azerbaijan has been observed with the adoption of amendment 907 by
the US Congress [which bans direct US government aid to Azerbaijani],
the project called Millennium Challenge, the Jackson-Vanik amendment
[restriction of trade links with Soviet countries], delivery of arms
and others. At the same time, Armenia has been provided with aid
worth 2bn dollars, Mammadov said.
"Therefore, I do not highly value US-Azerbaijani today," Mammadov said,
reiterating that Azerbaijan’s interests are not being reckoned with
by Washington.
[Correspondent] May it influence Baku’s position on the Nabucco
project?
Asked this question, Mammadov said that the project did not belong to
Azerbaijan. "Let those who need gas be proactive and do their job. We
are ready to act as a supplier of gas and as a transit country,"
Mammadov said.
[Correspondent] Can gas supplies to Russia and gas sale to Iran from
the Sah Daniz deposit be an alternative to the Nabucco project?
Mammadov did not rule out such a possibility, underlining that if
the interested countries do nothing, Azerbaijan will have to think
of its own interests.
"This is a market and we are ready to cooperate with all interested
sides," Mammadov said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress