AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER: "I AM NOT AGAINST MEETING WITH ARMENIAN NEW FOREIGN MINISTER"
Azeri Press Agency
April 15 2008
Azerbaijan
He stated that the co-chairs should contribute suggestions on the
meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents.
"The meeting of familiarizing character may be held. I am not against
the meeting with Armenian new Foreign Minister even I don’t even know
him. The Co-Chairs should specify the date and place of this meeting.
We should solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, but Armenia should
be constructive. If Armenia is constructive, it will bring positive
atmosphere to the region and this country", he said.
Elmar Mammadyarov stressed the importance of resolution to the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity.
"Resolution adopted in the UN General Assembly reflects our position.
Our position remains unchanged. Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity should be restored and refugees should be returned to
their homelands. As you know, this position has been supported
comprehensively. NATO Bucharest Summit has supported it. The resolution
covers the recognition of territorial integrity of Moldova, Armenia,
Georgia, as well as Azerbaijan", he said.
Mammadyarov noted that there was no need to conduct negotiations from
lower level because of new Armenian Foreign Minister.
"We should not conduct new negotiations. We will continue
negotiations. We have coordinated with several issues within the
framework of the Prague process. International community already knows
that Armenia has not accepted it. Nagorno Karabakh should be solved
within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. We can
discuss the status of Nagorno Karabakh Autonomy under Azerbaijan",
he said. Mammadyarov added that he would meet Bulgarian President,
Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister within the framework of the
visit to Bulgaria.
"This visit will continue the dialogue during Bulgarian President’s
visit to Baku. Azerbaijan-Bulgaria relations are developing
successfully. The cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria on
economy, energy and agriculture is being developed. We cooperate
within the framework of Nabucco project", he said.