BAKU: Japanese minister, Azeri Speaker discuss Karabakh

Japanese minister, Azeri Speaker discuss Karabakh

ANS TV, Baku
14 Jan 05

[Presenter] The Nagornyy Karabakh problem has been the subject of
official talks by Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Ichiro Aisawa. The
Japanese diplomat, who is currently visiting Baku, said that the
position of the Tokyo government on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
remained unchanged – this problem should be resolved in line with the
principles of international law.

[Correspondent over video of meeting] The first visit to Azerbaijan of
Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Ichiro Aisawa started with a visit to
[former Azerbaijani President] Heydar Aliyev’s grave at the Avenue of
Honour. The Japanese deputy foreign minister then held meetings at the
Foreign Ministry. After the meetings, the guest said that the goal of
his visit to Azerbaijan was to expand relations between the two
countries, particularly to boost economic cooperation.

The guest touched on the Nagornyy Karabakh problem at a meeting with
the chairman of the Milli Maclis [parliament], Murtuz Alasgarov. The
deputy minister said that the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict was a major
problem in the South Caucasus as a whole and that the Japanese
government hoped that the conflict would be resolved through
talks. Quote – Japan could render assistance to the conflict
settlement by providing humanitarian aid to displaced persons.

Milli Maclis Chairman Murtuz Alasgarov said once again that he was
confident that Japan would always back Baku’s position on the Nagornyy
Karabakh issue and tell the world about Azerbaijan’s just cause.