AZERBAIJANI OFFICIAL: OSCE CO-CHAIR COUNTRIES SHOULD DEMAND FROM ARMENIA FAIR SOLUTION TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Today
60770.html
Feb 3 2010
Azerbaijan

Interview with the Head of the Azerbaijani Presidential
Administration’s International Relations Department Novruz Mammadov.

How do you assess the outcome of the Sochi talks on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? Is there any progress in this process?

The Sochi talks have become one of the important milestones in the
current stage of the negotiation to solve the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For several years Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev has been displaying a strong will to make every possible
effort to peacefully resolve the conflict through negotiations and
important steps were taken in this direction.

Only in 2009, there were six meetings between the presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in various formats and, indeed, the attention of the
international community and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries’
leaders was focused on solution of this conflict. At the same time
these are affected by other factors. Development of the processes
in this direction allows us to hope for a successful solution to the
conflict. Of course, the OSCE Minsk co-chairs play an important role
in it.

Today, the superpowers’ position is of great importance to establish
world order, security and stability. Countries such as USA, Russia
and France play important role in resolving this conflict. Their
specific and just position may play an important role in resolving
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I think, the countries yet lack of
such position in this direction and therefore we can not go on a
serious step.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s participation in the Sochi meeting
of the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders gave hope for a positive
outcome of the negotiations. Although the expected progress was not
reached, the process should be continued, and I regard that convergence
is possible through the declared preamble and this fact encourages it.

My position is that the IMF, Russia, the U.S. and the EU should
increase pressure on Armenia at the final stage (the current
negotiations may be regarded as concluding). All possible measures
must be used to achieve an equitable solution and co-chair countries
should also increase pressure on Armenia to make progress.

Armenia periodically changes its position. Such behavior is
unacceptable in diplomacy and politics.

Let me give two examples. Armenia signed protocols with Turkey with
the participation of six countries’ foreign ministers, but a few
months later filed certain conditions to the signed documents through
another structure.

In 2007- 2009, Armenia supported the Madrid principles, while we
disagreed. Following some amendments to the document in the light of
our proposals, we supported the Madrid principles. In turn, Yerevan
spoke against them. In 2009, the Armenian president himself signed
an agreement on these principles, together with the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Russia, but again rejected them.

To prevent this kind of political speculation, the world public,
co-chairman countries should exert adequate pressure on Armenia.

How do you assess the activity of Russia in the negotiation
process, and how Moscow’s role could accelerate the solution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? What pressure can Russia exert on Armenia?

Today it is wrong to say that Russia has not definite pressure on
Armenia, Russian President’s participation to the last two meetings
of heads of Azerbaijan and Armenia testifies this.

But I think that it is necessary to increase pressure on Armenia. If
Russia wants long-term stability and security in the region, if wants
to build relations with countries in a trustful base, it should exert
more pressure. Here even the word "pressure" is inappropriate. It is
necessary to demonstrate a fair position on the basis of international
law and to demand Armenia to liberate the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan. This is a violation of international law and it must
be corrected.

Not only Russia, but also the United States and France, which play an
important role in global processes, must participate in this process.

I think that these three countries can make great efforts in this
regard, thus taking a fair position.

What are the uncoordinated elements of the preamble of the Madrid
principles? How is Azerbaijan ready to make concessions on these
points?

The Meiendorf agreement signed by the President of Azerbaijan pointed
out that the solution to the conflict is possible only within the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, through peaceful negotiations and
without war. We accepted it, if there are any new proposals, we do not
know about them, co-chairmen should establish a position and submit
to us. Prolonging the time, Armenia impedes the solution. Yerevan
has transformed this process into a political game. Armenia should
be put before a fair and concrete position.

For more than 20 years, 750,000 Azerbaijani citizens from seven regions
around Nagorno-Karabakh have been internally displaced persons, we
are talking about the fate of these people. The occupied territories
of Azerbaijan must be returned so that the IDPs return to their homes.

When we can expect next talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement?

All depends on specification of Armenia’s positions. Our patience is
not unlimited. During their next visit to the region co-chairs should
identify Armenia’s definitive position on settlement of the conflict
and inform us.