Azeri speaker, Italian minister discuss Karabakh
ANS TV, Baku
16 May 05
[Presenter] Azerbaijan gives priority to the Nagornyy Karabakh
settlement in its foreign policy and focuses on this subject also at
meetings with [foreign] guests.
[Correspondent over video of Azerbaijani Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov
receiving Italian official] Azerbaijani Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov and
the Italian minister without portfolio for regional affairs, Enrico
La Loggia, held a meeting today to discuss the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. The speaker told the Italian guest that 20 per cent of
Azerbaijani territories were occupied by Armenia and over 1m Azeris
were displaced.
The speaker complained about inactivity of the OSCE Minsk Group which
has undertaken to mediate the Nagornyy Karabakh resolution. Alasgarov
also said that the talks which have been held on resolving the conflict
were fruitless. This is what he said.
[Alasgarov speaking to La Loggia] We think that this is the case
because Armenia is continuing its aggressive policy. No pressure or
sanctions are being put on Armenia.
[Correspondent] The speaker said that Baku supported a peaceful
solution to the conflict within the framework of international legal
norms and Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. The only way is to
liberate Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and repatriate refugees
to their lands. The Italian minister without portfolio for regional
affairs, Enrico La Loggia, said that Italy’s position on the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict has not changed.
[La Loggia, speaking in Italian with Azeri voice-over] Italy is one of
the countries which initially recognized Azerbaijan’s independence. We
are ready to support Azerbaijan in all spheres. We support a fair
solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
[Correspondent] La Loggia is convinced that the Karabakh conflict
will be resolved peacefully in line with international legal norms.
Afat Telmanqizi, Azar Qarayev, ANS.