AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV: WE CAN NOT ALLOW NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BECOME A FROZEN PROCESS

APA
Dec 29 2009
Azerbaijan

We are against the fact that the negotiations become permanent process

Baku – APA. "I would positively characterize this year in terms of
the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. But it could be more
positive," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his interview
to Vesti TV channel of Russia. APA reports quoting AzerTAC that
the head of state said the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan had
negotiations in 2008 and a joint declaration had been signed on the
settlement of the conflict.

"The document determines exactly that the conflict must be resolved
basing on the principles and norms of the international law,
decisions and resolutions of the international organizations. What
are these decisions and resolutions? Of course, four resolutions of
the UN Security Council demanding withdrawal of Armenian aggressive
forces from Azerbaijan’s territory. These resolutions have not been
fulfilled for about twenty years. The main question is the restoration
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, release of our lands, return
of the refugees and displaced persons. Unfortunately, our hopes for
2009 were not justified as we had expected," he said.

The head of state said the joint statement signed by Russian,
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents was a significant event.

"It was the first joint document after the ceasefire agreement
signed in 1994. There was a hope that we would solve the problem,
at least agree on the basic principles in 2009. But these hopes have
not been justified, and not because of our fault. Therefore there is
some optimism for 2010. The resolution of the Karabakh conflict has
become one of the main topics of the international agenda. Maybe most
of those who did not realize it completely before, have understood that
it will be impossible to solve any of the regional problems without
the resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. This is the main cause.

Unless it is eliminated, it will be impossible to create favorable
atmosphere for cooperation, strengthen the security measures in
the region. For the settlement of this conflict Armenia must simply
fulfill the UN Security Council’s resolutions and release the occupied
territories around Nagorno Karabakh. After that peace and cooperation
may be established in the region," he said.

Azerbaijani President hopes that the main positions will be agreed
in 2010.

"But we are against the fact that the negotiations become permanent
process. The negotiations have been held since 1992 – OSCE Minsk Group
was established. Ceasefire agreement was signed in 1994. 15 years have
passed, there is a progress, but there is no result. Therefore, we can
not allow this conflict to become a frozen process. The fate of the
other conflicts lasting for tens of years must not be repeated. We will
never agree to it. Therefore, I consider that if Armenia demonstrates
constructivism, and mainly common sense, we can advance next year,"
he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress