Azeri ruling party members, foreign minister discuss polls with Albright
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
13 Jul 05
[Presenter in studio] The former US secretary of state and chairwoman
of the Board of Directors of the National Democratic Institute [NDI],
Madeleine Albright, met representatives of the [ruling] New Azerbaijan
Party [NAP] and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov today.
The key topic was the upcoming parliamentary election. However, the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem was also discussed during the talks with the
foreign minister.
[Correspondent over a meeting with the NAP] The meeting with Madeleine
Albright will help form an impartial impression of Azerbaijan in the
international community, Ali Ahmadov, executive secretary of the
ruling NAP, said after the meeting with Madeleine Albright, the former
US secretary of state and chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the
National Democratic Institute. The public-political situation and the
current election situation were discussed in detail, he added.
Ali Ahmadov informed Albright of equal opportunities created for all
political forces, which will make it possible to hold free and
transparent elections.
[Ali Ahmadov] I consider that our information and exchange of opinions
will create a clear view of the realities of the election situation in
Azerbaijan. In any case, the aim of our meeting was to help Albright
get an impression of Azerbaijan based on coherent information from
different sides.
[Correspondent] Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov also
received Albright today. The meeting discussed Azerbaijani-US
relations, relations between the countries and mainly the
public-political situation ahead of the elections. However, the sides
also touched on the resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The
minister also commented on reports alleging that a referendum will be
held on the status of Nagornyy Karabakh.
[Mammadyarov] I noticed in today’s press that there are rumours and
insinuations. I want to reiterate and make sure that the talks are
being conducted on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and
that everything is in line with the Azerbaijani constitution.
[Correspondent] The minister said that he is ready for talks with his
Armenian counterpart, Vardan Oskanyan, anywhere and at any time. He
said that the opposite side’s consent is needed for such a meeting to
take place.