AZERBAIJANI PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN ADDRESSES SECURITY COUNCIL’S MEETING

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
April 22, 2009 Wednesday

Azerbaijan`s permanent representative to the United Nations, ambassador
Agshin Mehdiyev reported Tuesday on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh at the United Nations Security Council`s meeting
dealing with Maintenance of international peace and security: Mediation
and settlement of disputes.

Mehdiyev noted almost one-fifth of the territory of Azerbaijan was
occupied by Armenia in the wake of the conflict, with one of every
eight Azerbaijani becoming internally displaced persons or refugees.

He stressed Armenia grossly violate international law principles
including that concerning territorial integrity of states. Though
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs` efforts to settle the dispute yielded
no results, Azerbaijan supports peaceful resolution of the conflict,
Mehdiyev noted.

The ambassador pointed out the dispute can be settled on the basis
of respect for Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity, sovereignty and
inviolability of the country`s internationally recognized borders.

Determination of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within Azerbaijan is
possible only if peace is maintained, he added.

According to Mehdiyev, to settle the conflict through mediation,
Armenia must withdraw its armed forces from the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan, IDPs must return to their homes and rebuilding process
must be started in the region.

Though Azerbaijan supports peaceful resolution of the conflict the
country will never make any concessions regarding its territorial
integrity, he added.

Participants also heard a report made by UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon on enhancing mediation and its support activities.

UN Deputy Secretary General for political issues Linn Pascod addressed
the event, as well.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress