ALIYEV SAYS KARABAKH TALKS IN ‘FINAL PHASE’

Asbarez
aliyev-says-karabakh-talks-in-final-phase/
Oct 5, 2009

BAKU (AFP)-Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has said that longstanding
talks with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are in their
"final phase", suggesting significant progress in negotiations.

"The negotiating process has seen positive dynamics and I can say
that it has already entered its final phase," Aliyev said Saturday at
a summit of Turkic-speaking nations in Azerbaijan, state news agency
Azertaj reported.

"The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can only be settled in accordance with
the principle of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity…. The conflict
is a great problem not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the whole
region, and is a major barrier to regional development," he added.

Aliyev was speaking at the summit of Turkic-Speaking countries,
which convened over the weekend in Nakhichevan and was attended by
Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Gul, delivering a speech at the summit, also touched upon the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, once more voicing Ankara’s support for the
territorial integrity of neighboring Azerbaijan. Turkey’s efforts
for normalization of its relations with Armenia, which have recently
gained momentum, display Ankara’s contribution to both regional and
global peace, Gul said.

"The time has come for a resolution of all disputes in the Caucasus on
the basis of the protection of the territorial integrity of regional
countries – particularly the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We
especially attach great importance to the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, and we believe the occupation of Azerbaijani territory
should be ended at once," he said. "We also believe the time has come
for this as well. We hope for a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, and in this way that peace
prevails in the entire Caucasus. However, no doubt, the first step
for this will be ending the occupation [of Nagorno-Karabakh]."

Gul also had a warning to the Armenian Diaspora.

"Being at a distance from Armenia, Diaspora should not throw obstacles
in solutions to the regional problems. I see some countries carry out
such policy to preserve national identity. It is not right. Diaspora
should assist activities aimed at establishing new cooperation and
peace in the Caucasus, if they are concerned about Armenia’s future,"
said Gul.