EUROPEAN FEDERATION URGES NON-AGGRESSION PACT WITH ARMENIA

Asbarez
/european-federation-urges-non-aggression-pact-wit h-armenia/
Aug 3, 2009

BRUSSELS-In a statement 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 militant policies.

The call refers to Azerbaijan’s excessive new investment in military
hardware and technology and the policy statements of the Azeri
President with respect to peace negotiations concerning the Karabakh
conflict, under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Given
the present realities in Azerbaijan and the threatening posture
of the Aliyev regime, the Federation concluded 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.

Indeed, Azerbaijan has multiplied its budget for armaments from $175
million in 2004 to $2.5 billion in 2009. President Aliyev’s intensified
warmongering declarations are thus substantiated, pointing towards
a real possibility of an Azeri resumption of hostilities.

The Federation denounces recent statements made by President Aliyev
in London, which highlight his refusal of any concession on the
Karabakh issue, and his persistence to speak about mere "autonomy"
for Karabakh under Azeri sovereignty, a position which, in effect,
puts an end to the OSCE negotiations process as it has existed so far.

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 Karabakh Republic have a right to secure
themselves against the continuing threats from Azerbaijan. Furthermore,
the future negotiating process must not exclude the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, as a full-fledged party to the negotiations. The Azerbaijani
security threats are first directed at the people of Nagorno Karabakh,
which must have its independent say in the process," stated Hilda
Tchoboian, President of the European Armenian Federation.