AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS CHANGE IN ARMENIA’S NEGOTIATING POSITION

news.az
Nov 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Araz Azimov The Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents are expected
to meet in Munich before the end of the month, Azerbaijan’s deputy
foreign minister, Araz Azimov, told reporters today.

He said that the Azerbaijani side is expecting in-depth discussions
on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict at the meeting.

"We expect changes in Armenia’s position. If no such changes are made,
it is impossible to speak of development in the negotiation process,"
Azimov said.

He said that Azerbaijan’s position is completely clear. "We want the
conflict settlement within the framework of the territorial integrity
of our country. International law is the basis of Azerbaijan’s position
which is supported by the world community."

The deputy foreign minister said that Armenia’s position does not
meet the principles and norms of international law.

"Though the Armenian side speaks of their readiness to settle the
issue peacefully, we do not see any compliance with the norms and
principles of international law in their position," Azimov said. "On
the contrary, we have recently seen a reverse trend in the Armenian
position. If Armenia continues to violate the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and to seek to annex part of the occupied lands, ignoring
the adopted principles and resolutions, this means Armenia is not in
the negotiation process."

Azimov said that Azerbaijan has no hidden intentions behind its
position.

Turkey

He also commented on Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s remarks
that "the Armenian-Turkish border will not open without resolution
of the Karabakh conflict".

"I see that from the very beginning Turkey has concentrated on the
settlement of regional problems. Turkey has always been Azerbaijan’s
closest partner and many issues in the conflict settlement may depend
on its position," Azimov said.

He said that Turkey has recently stepped up efforts in regional
processes, which greats opportunities for action to influence the
conflict settlement.

Nuclear power station

Araz Azimov went on to describe Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power
station as a regional problem.

"Azerbaijan and the EU demand that Armenia shut down the nuclear
station, considering the weak protection of the reactors and the high
seismic activity in the area," he said.

The deputy minister said that Russia has developed a project to
improve the reactors.

"The reactors at the Armenian nuclear power station are practically
under Russia’s control. Azerbaijan would welcome it if Russia intended
to continue work in this area," Azimov said.