SERZH SARGSYAN DOES NOT HAVE CONCRETE LOGICAL POSITION: AZERBAIJANI SENIOR OFFICIAL
Today.Az
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Aug 4 2009
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani President’s Administration’s International Affairs
Department Chief Novruz Mammadov spoke in an interview with APA.
APA: Is there a need for Azerbaijan to accept the suggested agreements
in the present stage?
Novruz Mammadov: I reiterate that the question is Madrid
principles. All are aware of the Basic Principles. It is shown in
the Madrid Principles and Azerbaijani President repeatedly stated
that the conflict should be solved within Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. The problem should be solved stage by stage. First of all,
Azerbaijan’s 5, or 6 regions, then 1 or 2 regions should be emptied,
after that IDPs should be settled, peacekeepers deployed, after that
reconstruction should follow and communications open. At the same time
settlement process of 1 or 2 regions should take place, even refugees
and IDPs should simultaneously return to Nagorno Karabakh. After that
Nagorno Karabakh’s autonomy should be solved within Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Armenia often changes its position for fear
of losing its power.
Q: Some say pressure is exerted on Azerbaijan in connection with
these agreements. Are there any pressures on Azerbaijan?
A: Those who say it are mistaken, they tell a lie, or express biased
views. I attend Azerbaijani president’s meetings, see his character
and will. Therefore, I can say that Azerbaijan is one of the countries
where there is no pressure, influence on domestic or foreign policy. It
is impossible to influence Azerbaijani president. The president is
pursuing independent foreign policy to ensure the interests of the
state. The representatives of various countries note this both in
the region and in the international arena. The poll conducted by
the Gallup Institute has been released recently. According to the
poll, Azerbaijan is the country where there is the strongest ties
and confidence between the leader and people. There is no such an
indicator in other countries. Why should the president having such
a support undergo any pressures? It is impossible. Pressures are
exerted on weak countries.
Q: Does Armenia agree with the high autonomous status proposed by
Azerbaijan?
A: This issue is being discussed in the negotiations. If there is an
agreement on this issue, we will express concrete position. There is
still no a full agreement on that and therefore it is impossible to
say anything.
Q: Who will determine transitional and final status reflected in the
Basic Principles?
A: Of course, this status will be determined by Azerbaijan. No one
else can determine it. Azerbaijan’s goal is that the conflict is
solved peacefully through the negotiations. The transitional status
means the return of internally displaced persons to the occupied seven
regions of Azerbaijan, as well as Nagorno Karabakh, reconstruction
work there, restoration of communications, deployment of peacekeeping
forces and creating transitional corridor between Nagorno Karabakh and
Armenia. It will take at least 5-6 years. The return of internally
displaced persons is not an easy process. This process can take 7-8
to 10 years. Everything was destroyed there and it is not easy to
reconstruct it and to return to the normal conditions. It will take
years. Our main goal and the co-chairs’ position is that the process
will go on and the people can provide their previous life style and
then we can review the issue of status, which must be resolved within
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. There is no other way.
Q: Is any document will be signed during presidents’ Chisinau meeting
in October?
A: I can not say anything yet. Let the co-chairs visit the region
and after that we can review the question. Everything depends on the
Armenia’s position, let us to see it.
Q: Armenian president Sargsyan made terms before Ankara to visit
Turkey. He said he wouldn’t visit Turkey to watch football match in
October if the borders were not opened. How do you value his position?
A: It shows that Sargsyan has no concrete logical position on the
solution to the conflict and relations with the neighbor country. He is
frequently changing his position. How it can be that Turkish president
visited Armenia, but he says that he will not visit Turkey. It is
like kids’ game. They make terms and think that they will achieve
something. This is wrong. Therefore I wouldn’t like to comment on
this issue. There is no ground for his move. The opening of the
borders depends on other factors and the Armenian president should
understand that.
Q: There are reports about Matthew Bryza’s appointment as an ambassador
to Azerbaijan…
A: This is a business of US. President Obama and the State Department
know which country Bryza will be appointed to.
Q: Turkmenistan said it would sue Azerbaijan at the International
Court of Arbitration Arbitrary over the Caspian issues. What is the
Baku’s position on that?
A: We didn’t receive official documents about that and there is no
need to make comments on media reports. I think Turkmenistan and
Azerbaijan have deep historical roots. Azerbaijani president visited
Turkmenistan and Turkmen president visited Azerbaijan in previous
years. The Caspian issues have not been solved between us yet. There
are different thoughts about that. But the most optimal and profound
decision is to solve such issues through the useful negotiations. It
will bring better results. There is no concrete report that they
will appeal the International Court of Arbitration. We can express
an opinion after the official confirmation. It is important for
us to solve this issue. There are many factors on the basis of our
position. Our thoughts have scientific and practical basis. I think
the issue will be solved sooner or later and the two countries will
have normal relations again.