BAKU: Azeri FM returns from Moscow, says Karabakh topped agenda

Azeri foreign minister returns from Moscow, says Karabakh topped agenda
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
19 Aug 04

[Presenter] Russia would support any agreement reached between the
conflicting sides, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a
meeting with his Azerbaijani colleague Elmar Mammadyarov. Mr
Mammadyarov, who returned to Baku about an hour and a half ago, said
this to journalists at Heydar Aliyev airport.
He said that Moscow promised to be more active in settling the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
[Correspondent over video of Mammadyarov] Russia will be more active
in settling the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, Mammadyarov told a
briefing devoted to the results of his visit to Moscow. Moscow sees a
settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the framework of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
[Mammadyarov] Above all, we discussed the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict. Russia supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Sergey Lavrov told a news conference openly that both as a co-chairman
[of the OSCE Minsk Group] and as a neighbouring country, the Russian
Federation is ready to render assistance to ensure a speedy settlement
to the conflict.
[Correspondent] As for a meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani
foreign ministers to be held in Prague [29-30 August], Mr Mammadyarov
said that there has been no change in Baku’s position.
[Mammadyarov] I think that we should continue our work. The
co-chairmen have already expressed their stance. An exchange of views
should be held and a new way should be found to resolve this problem
peacefully. The issue is that forced migrants should definitely go
back.
[Correspondent] At the meeting with Sergey Lavrov, they also discussed
the development of bilateral economic relations. Moscow proposed that
Azerbaijan increase the amount of oil transported through the
Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline.
[Mammadyarov] The Russian side wants Azerbaijan to increase the use of
the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline. We discussed this issue. If this
proposal is commercially viable, we are ready to consider this.
[Correspondent] Moreover, they discussed regional security, the fight
against terrorism and problems of Azerbaijanis living in Russia.
Farida Agaverdiyeva and Emil Aliyarli, “Son Xabar”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress