DEPUTY FM CLARIFIES RUSSIAN MEDIATOR’S STATEMENTS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2005
Baku, September 26, AssA-Irada
Deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov told journalists on Monday that
there are no grounds for Yuri Merzlyakov, Russian co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group mediating the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper Garabagh conflict,
to be concerned over the increase in Azerbaijan’s military expenses.
Such statements mean interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs,
Azimov said. “The increase in the budget is normal. The budget will
be raised as much as needed.”
The deputy foreign minister said the move is based on Azerbaijan’s
national interests.
“This is Azerbaijan’s internal affair. The decision was made by the
country’s leadership and government agencies and no one is allowed
to meddle in this”, he said.*