AZERBAIJANI TOP OFFICIAL: DEFENSE MINISTER RECOGNIZES RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS STATEMENT
Today.Az
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March 1 2010
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration senior official Ali Hasanov
told media today that the defense minister assumes responsibility
for his statement on the inevitability of war.
"If Armenia does not free Azerbaijani occupied territories, a war in
the South Caucasus is inevitable," Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar
Abiyev said earlier at a meeting with French Ambassador to Azerbaijan
Gabriel Keller.
He said diplomats have failed to achieve concrete results for 15 ears
in negotiations.
"Azerbaijan will not be able to wait 15 more years. Now the war is
inevitable and the threat is gradually approaching," Abiyev said.
Hasanov noted that President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated that
he considers the potential of negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement still viable.
"Therefore, Azerbaijan continues its efforts in this direction.
However the president also repeatedly pointed out that as soon
as Azerbaijan feels that the potential for negotiations has been
exhausted, the country will take steps to restore its territorial
integrity, sovereignty and violated rights through all possible means."
He said the talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are continuing
within the Prague process and in accordance with the Madrid principles.
"OSCE MG co-chairs have submitted proposals to both republics and the
sides exchanges views on this. However, the negotiating parties have
not provided enough information. I do not have extensive information
on what will be the follow-up processes or at what stage they are
expected to coordinate these proposals," Hasanov added.