GREAT BRITAIN SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN AT INT’L LEVEL: AMBASSADOR

Trend
June 11 2009
Azerbaijan

Great Britain supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at
the international level and is in favor of resolution of conflict
within the framework of international law, said British Ambassador
in Azerbaijan Caroline Brown said during his visit to Tovuz region
of the country. The diplomat also visited the village, located on
the contact line of troops of Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Brown, who visited Tovuz region at the initiative of deputy Ganira
Pashayeva, visited graves of martyrs and the mosque. The diplomat met
with Tovuz region administration officials and deputies. The ambassador
was informed about the history of Tovuz, its economic potential and
business. The possibility of investment by foreign businessmen in the
sphere of agricultural products in Tovuz, extension of cooperation
with local entrepreneurs in this field was also stressed.

Guests visited the villages of Agdam and Alibeyli village in Tovuz,
located on the border with Armenia. Ambassador met with local residents
and they informed her about the burning of the cemetery and fire,
committed by Armenians on the front, and other acts of vandalism. The
civilian population, who are engaged in agriculture, is under fire
opened by Armenians. The Ambassador also visited the homes and
schools that were damaged as the result of violation of ceasefire by
Armenians. The ambassador spoke to civilians, who were injured during
working on fields as a result of fire, opened by Armenian snipers.

Brown expressed regret that many countries, including Western,
do not know the truth about this conflict and the situation on the
contact line.

"Sometimes people call this conflict is frozen. Indeed, the phrase
"frozen conflict" is not appropriate when you see people with shrapnel
in the body, civilians who can not safely walk down the streets. UK
calls this not as "frozen conflict" but the war, which has not
been resolved. My country has repeatedly stated that recognizes the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We are absolutely
know where start and end boundaries of countries in the region ",
Brown said.

As for the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the
ambassador said that her country supports the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan at the international level and is in favor of solving
the problem within the framework of international law.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

Brown also met with women activists in Tovuz, NGO representatives,
as well as with students and teachers. Students asked questions
about the occupation policy of Armenia. Tovuz residents presented
to Ambassador saz (national music instrument) and kelagai (silk
scarf). The Ambassador also visited the Baltika factory in Tovuz and
acquainted with local production. Brown visited a local TV channel
Simurq-M, met with its team and together with the deputy Ganira
Pashayeva answered questions on air.