EAFJD CALLS ON OSCE CO-CHAIRS TO TAKE AZERBAIJAN’S MILITARY AMBITIONS SERIOUSLY

Panorama.am
17:20 03/08/2009

In a call to the OSCE, the European Armenian Federation for Justice
and Democracy expressed its profound concern about the danger to the
Caucasus security, and in particular to Armenia and its population,
resulting from Azerbaijan’s increased arms build-up and militarist
policies, EAFJD reports.

"Given the present realities in Azerbaijan and the threatening posture
of the Aliev regime, the Federation concludes that Azerbaijan has
violated the fundamental principles of international negotiations
by seriously committing itself to the military option while giving
lip service to the OSCE process. The Federation strongly urges
the Co-Chairs to refocus their efforts, first and foremost, on the
grave security threats resulting from Azerbaijan’s current national
priorities. Azerbaijan cannot be allowed to negotiate from a position
of open belligerence while the Armenian side negotiates in good faith.

The European Armenian Federation calls on the Co-Chairs to take
Azerbaijan’s military ambitions in the region seriously and, therefore,
demand solid non-aggression guaranties from the Azeri state prior to
any further discussions relating to the Minsk Group agenda. In the
present circumstances, a non-aggression pact obligating Azerbaijan
to peace is the only meaningful objective for OSCE before any further
moves could be considered.

Armenia and the Nagorno Karabagh Republic have a right to secure
themselves against the continuing threats from Azerbaijan. Furthermore,
the future negotiating process must not exclude the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic, as a full-fledged party to the negotiations. The Azerbaijani
security threats are first directed at the people of Nagorno Karabagh,
which must have its independent say in the process," message says.