OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen attend Azeri-Armenian summit in Warsaw
ANS TV, Baku
28 Apr 04
[Presenter] President Ilham Aliyev spoke at the European Economic
Summit in Warsaw today [28 April]. His speech was devoted to the
regional economic projects and security issues in the South
Caucasus. Aliyev also spoke of the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem. Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents met today at 1300 Baku
time [0800 gmt]. More details to follow from ANS TV’s special
correspondent Qanira Pasayeva.
[Correspondent Pasayeva over a still of her photo] Aliyev delivered a
speech at the European Economic Summit about implementation of the
energy projects [in the region]. He is the main speaker on this topic.
He imparted information on Azerbaijan’s economic development. He said
that an attractive climate has been created in Azerbaijan for foreign
investment and such investments are increasing year after year. He
briefed the audience on Azerbaijan’s economic indicators.
The large economic projects under way in the region were the main
topic. Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is implementing projects which are
crucial for the entire region.
Aliyev also touched on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. He said that
the regional conflicts, including the one in Nagornyy Karabakh, posed
a threat to such large economic projects. Armenia’s intransigent
stance and its unwillingness to withdraw from the Azerbaijani lands it
has occupied affects the general economic development of the South
Caucasus.
Following the speech, Aliyev met Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.
Interestingly and contrary to the protocol, the co-chairmen of the
OSCE Minsk Group attended the first part of the meeting.
Now, Aliyev and Kocharyan are having a tete-a-tete meeting. We asked a
question before the meeting whether there were a new proposal [to
settle the conflict] was being discussed. The co-chairmen said that
there would be a discussion of ideas.
Next, the three South Caucasus leaders – Aliyev, Kocharyan and
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili – will have a small lunch to
discuss the situation in the Caucasus.
There was a change in the protocol: instead of having separate
meetings with the presidents, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen
attended the meeting between Aliyev and Kocharyan.