ISMET ABBASOV: "IF WE WANT TO HOLD SUCH IMPORTANT EVENTS IN BAKU IN 2012 , WE ABSOLUTELY HAD TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA"

APA
May 14 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. D.Dzhabarogly-APA. An interview with Azerbaijani Minister of
Agriculture Ismat Abbasov.

– How is going on your visit to Armenia?

– The visit ends. The purpose of the visit is to attend the 28th
regional forum of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and
the 37th session of the European Commission on Agriculture in 2010
in Baku. And we achieved it. It is expected that FAO will decide
that 28th Regional Conference will be hold in Baku in 2012. If we
want to hold such important events in Baku in 2012, we had to arrive
in Armenia. Otherwise, it would not be not possible. I met with the
ministers of agriculture of many countries. I also met with Armenian
minister of agriculture by his desire. On the last day of the forum
will take a final decision on the holding the 28th Regional Conference
and the 37th session of the European Commission on Agriculture in Baku.

– How is attitude of Armenian community to visit of Azerbaijani
minister to Armenia?

– In the local press reported about it. They pay much attention. They
are interested in how I arrived here. I was born in Yerevan, and I
know the Armenian language. And I gave several interviews. Presented
my point of view in the way of reaching a settlement of the Karabakh
problem.

– How organized your safety?

– For the sake of fairness I must say that security is provided at
very high level. This comes from the high prestige of our country.

– Were there any attack to you by Armenian press in connection with
your statements about the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia?

– I have told in interviews at Armenian media that occupation of
Azerbaijani lands by Armenia is a fact and it is a reality that
Nagorno Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory. Azerbaijan prefers peace
way but in any case Azerbaijan will liberate its territory. If the
peace way does not work we will use alternative ways.

At the same time, I said that can not be discussed any collaboration
issue with Armenia till solving the Karabakh problem. The position
of our country is so: only after the settlement of the conflict, it
would be possible cooperation in all fields, including agriculture. I
also spoke about the government program on reducing poverty and
about special attention of Azerbaijani President to the development
of agriculture.

– You have visited to a house in Yerevan, where you was born?

– Yes. The house where I was born and lived for 17 years is on its
place right now, too. I visited to Goyche region. In Goyche I has
visited the house of my father-in-law- Mikailov Bayramov’s house,
who was director of the farm in the village Shishgaya, as well as
the house of the rector of Azerbaijan Medical University Ahliman
Amiraslanov. In all of these homes live people. In those houses in
the Goycha region and in our houses in Yerevan settled Armenians who
lived in Azerbaijan. This is the land of our fathers and grandfathers,
where we were born and grown up.