ARAZ AZIMOV ON THE RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON
Turan
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
April 2 2006
On March 30, the working visit of Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Araz Azimov, to Canada and the USA came to an end.
Besides the deputy minister of foreign affairs, the deputy minister
of national security Fuad Iskenderov, the deputy chief of the State
Frontier Service Farhad Tagizade and the commander-in-chief of the
Navy Shahin Sultanov also participated in the visit.
A dialogue on security took place on March 29 in the State
Department. Topics on the agenda included cooperation in the war
against global terror, prevention of the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction, the strengthening of border security and
American-Azerbaijan cooperation in international organizations.
Araz Azimov gave an interview to the Washington-based correspondent
of AzerTAc about results of his visit to Northern America.
– You are the first official representative of Azerbaijan to visit
Ottawa. How interested is this country in Azerbaijan? What can you
say about the discussions that were held there?
The position of Canada in the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict usually is not shown distinctly enough. As a member of the
OSCE, this country till now has satisfied with only superficial moral
and political support. But gradually it is possible for Canada to more
fully involve itself in this matter. In our region, there is a number
of questions connected with Canada causing our concern: for example,
the participation of some Canadian companies in a number of illegal
projects in Turkmenistan and the participation of a Canadian company
in the development of gold mines in the occupied Kalbajar region of
Azerbaijan. We have brought these matters to the attention of the
government of Canada. But the explanations received by us have shown
that the government of Canada do not connect itself with the given
companies and tries not to interfere in these issues.
– The American-Azerbaijan dialogue on security, of which you are a
co-chairman, is a framing mechanism. What concrete projects are you
returning to Baku with after the present stage of talks?
– The dialogue on security – started in 1996 – has opened opportunities
for studying questions in the field of security between the USA
and Azerbaijan. Dialogues are necessary to strengthen this even
more. As Azerbaijan’s influence and opportunities increase, its
security threats will also increase. Azerbaijan should be ready for
this. The significant part of cooperation between Azerbaijan and
the USA concerns the military-political sphere, area of security,
and practical work in the said spheres. Though support rendered by
America to Azerbaijan in these fields is up to the mark, we have
more requirements. The attitude of America testifies that it is ready
for closer cooperation. As a whole, dialogue passes positively. The
issues on the agenda also have remained unchanged: Azerbaijan’
security at the national and regional levels, relations within NATO,
the increase of the OSCE’s role in ongoing processes, settlement of
regional conflicts, the relations among Caspian coastal states and
the military-political situation in the Caspian basin. The complex
web of risks and threats in the Caspian region is complicated enough.
Elements of war, terrorism, and the environment are peculiar to it.
In this sense, the USA will closely cooperate with Azerbaijan. We
have achieved some agreements. Groups of experts will arrive in Baku.
They will study ways to involve Azerbaijan in the initiative on
power and sea safety, and also the initiative put forward by the “G8”
against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
– Whether touch on the issues regarding Iran?
– While considering the regional situation this matter was discussed.
We have informed the United States that 130 kilometers of the said
border is under occupation. Threats originating from here should
be by all means considered. Also, conditions in the sector of the
Caspian adjacent with Iran were discussed. Some steps taken by Iran
in this area concern Azerbaijan. We have repeatedly declared that
there should be peace over the borders of neighboring countries; it
is necessary to respect these borders and observe them. We also noted
that we have various connections and trade relations with Iran, as it
is a neighboring country. Many of our compatriots live in Iran. In
this sense, Azerbaijan watches the development of situation in Iran
with great interest and concern.
The USA is directly involved in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. They
support a quick settlement of the conflict and are ready to make
active efforts in this direction. Many expressions are being used;
nevertheless, the situation remains the same. It is a question
of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the conflict over the
Azerbaijani land and its settlement. Azerbaijan supports Armenian and
Azerbaijan communities living jointly in Nagorno Karabakh peacefully,
and granting them a corresponding guarantee. I am convinced, that at
any stage Azerbaijan will achieve this as we have no other way.
America should understand, and Armenia should remember, that the
Azerbaijan state not only will disagree with the partition of the
lands, but also will prevent it. It should not be perceived as
a toughening of our position. It is the principle position which
Azerbaijan has held from the very beginning, from first day of the
conflict. We will stick to this position. We are ready to show
corresponding flexibility in the settlement of conflict. I say
this, addressing even my compatriots living in Nagorno Karabakh,
the Armenian community should be provided by self-government in
any frameworks. According to the Armenians, the political forces of
Azerbaijan support proscription of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh
from this region. This is not so. We never objected to Armenians
residing in Nagorno Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan. On the
contrary, we believe that these people should possess corresponding
socio-political freedom, which it is necessary to provide them with.
This should not be regarded as a weakness on the part of the
Azerbaijani side. Azerbaijan, as a strong, modern and democratic
state, is ready to provide a normal life for citizens of any ethnic
origin. However, from both sides, there are extreme points. It is
necessary to reject these and come to a common denominator. The
extreme position of Armenia is based on an arguement that Nagorno
Karabakh never was and will never be a part of Azerbaijan. It is
necessary to reject this position. And the Azerbaijan government
should provide the Armenian population living in Nagorno Karabakh
with a model of self-government. Being based on European models, this
model should recognize our territorial integrity and the inviolability
of borders. It is not necessary to forget that in Nagorno Karabakh,
alongside with the Armenians also lived Azerbaijanis. The Azerbaijani
community, by all means, should return to Nagorno Karabakh. We should
provide both communities with the same models of self- governance
based on the legislation of Azerbaijan.
This is Azerbaijan’s constructive position. We are ready to pass from
such a hard line, as non-recognition of the rights of the Armenians,
to this moderate position, which includes the maintenance of their
rights. Thus, Armenia and Azerbaijan can come to a common denominator.