[15-01-2005 ‘Karabagh Conflict’]
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`MEETINGS OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS REVIVED THE
MINSK PROCESS’
Source : `Azg’ newspaper (Armenia)
Author: Tatul Hakobian
`The meetings of the foreign Minister of Armenia and Azerbaijan under
the `Prague format’ have revived the Minsk Process. The fact-finding
mission that is to study the situation at the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan, must be considered as a positive step to put a basis for
further progress’, the OSCE Acting Chairman, Sloveninan Foreign
Minister Dmitri Rupel announced.
As `Mediamax’ agency reports, having spoken at the session of the
OSCE, the Slovenian diplomat, having spoken at the session of OSCE
Permanent Council in Vienna noted that this year OSCE `should double
its effort aimed at the resolution of Mountainous Karabagh conflict’.
At the evening press-conference of January 12 the Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov announced that the OSCE
fact-finding mission will arrive in Baku on January 28. The mission
will also include the co-chairmen of the Minsk Group. Before that, as
Azimov noted, on January 21 in Vienna the meeting of MG co-chairmen
and representatives of Finland, Italy, Sweden and Germany, taking part
in the OSCE mission, will take place.
According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, the
mission will visit Kelbajar, Lachin, Kubatli, Zangelan and Jebrail
regions. At the same time the delegation does not envisage visiting
the Fizuli and Agdam regions, because `no facts of populating these
areas have been reported’.
Recently the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Valeriy
Loshinin in the annual report on cooperation between Moscow and the
CIS countries, noted that Baku promised not to put to UN’s agenda its
draft resolution, in exchange for which Yerevan promised to provide
assistance to the OSCE monitoring on the occupied territories.
Azimov noted that while the negotiations between Armenia and
Azerbaijan are progressing with great difficulties, `there are certain
common edges in the stances taken by the parties, however, there are
also serious controversies’. On the other hand, Azimov added, `lately
serious interest of Armenia in the activation of negotiations process
is notable’.
On the eve of the meeting Foreign Ministers Oskanian and Mamedyarov in
Prague the Russian co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov
said that Armenia has agreed to certain concessions, and `it is
Azerbaijan’s turn’.
At the press-conference in Baku Azimov presented the readiness of
Azerbaijan to restore the communication with Armenia on the condition
that Armenians withdraw `from occupied territories’. According to
Azimov, within the Prague process the issue of withdrawing Armenian
forces from about 7 Azerbaijani regions of Mountainous Karabagh were
discussed.
In this regard the press-secretary of the RA Ministry of Foreign
Affairs hamlet Gasparian announced yesterday in his interview to
`Arminfo’ news agency: `We do not think it proper to speak about the
details and past resolution stages. This has been enough spoken
about. We would not like to enter into long-distance disputes with
anyone on this stage, since we think it useless’.
Azimov denied the reports about the agreement on conductance of a
referendum in Karabagh to transfer MK to Armenian authority. In the
course of his last press-conference Vardan Oskanian, answering the
question of `Azg’ newspaper on the referendum said: `Allow me to
refrain from answering this question. All the questions, related to
Karabagh are currently on the negotiations table. How they will
correlate and coordinate and in what sequence they will be applied
remain to be seen. The process will be rather complex, but there are
certain possibilities’.
Previously Oskanian recommended the journalists not to pay attention
to the articles published in the French `Figaro’ newspaper, where `the
general trends existing today in the issue of Mountainous Karabagh are
expressed’. The head of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Pierre
Lelouche and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain Ana
Palacio wrote in `Figàro’ that `Armenia must temporarily administer
Mountainous Karabagh, the further status of which will be determined
by a referendum five or ten years ago’.
[12-01-2005 ‘Region’]
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PUTIN’S STATEMENT ON ARMENIA
Source : `Vatan’ newspaper (Turkey)
Author:
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced about Russia’s willingness
to be a mediator and guarantor in settling the relations between
Armenia and Turkey, now in crisis as a result of Karabagh conflict.
According to Putin, Russia will do its utmost to settle the conflict
and noted that Armenia is also searching for solutions at present.
Prime-Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on a visit to Moscow with a
delegation of 600 entrepreneurs, met Putin on a forum at a President
Hotel. In the course of the meeting, Premier Erdogan stated, `We have
come a long way. Our joint steps will help us become more open to the
World’. He also stressed that certain tension may arise in the
relations between the two countries, however it should be
overcome. Russian President Putin stated that for developing the
relations both countries should be sincere in their aspiration for
rapprochement. He also outlined a range of issues discussed at the
meeting, particularly the issues on restoration and restructuring in
Iraq. Putin noted that Turkish infrastructure will be used to this
purpose. President declared that events in Iraq cause serious
concern. He also reminded that 30 January will witness the first
elections in Iraq after settling the state of emergency, and
emphasized that Russia will do its utmost for restoring
Iraq. According to President of Russia, the main issue of the
negotiations was economic relations: gas transportation network,
construction of a gas-holder in Turkey, transportation of Russian gas
to third countries, construction of gas stations in Turkey. Putin
informed about Russia’s willingness to participate in the system of
gas and power supply of Turkey. Russian President also stressed that
Russia aspires to transportation of oil and gas not only through
pipelines but also using land and sea routes. In this respect, it is
essential to activate cooperation with the Black Sea countries.
President Putin also stressed the necessity for developing cooperation
in the sphere of tourism. According to President of Russian
Federation, misbalanced relations in the construction sector result in
the volume of Turkish investments in Russia amounting to 1.5 milliard
dollars, whereas the volume of Russian investments in Turkey reaching
350 million dollars. Putin expressed an opinion that this issue will
be resolved after Russia’s joining World Trade Organization.
Proposal on Mediation in Relations with Armenia
In his speech, Putin also raised the issue of Mountainous Karabagh,
which has become the main cause of the crisis in Turkish-Armenian
relations. In his opinion, Russia is aware of the problem in the
relations between the two countries, stressing that Turkey and Russia
stick to the policy of good neighborly relations. Thus, Russia will
take all efforts for settling the conflicts, persisting after USSR
disintegration. President of Russian Federation stated that Russia is
ready to serve as a mediator and guarantor in solving the problem, `We
are aware of serious historical problems in place between Turkey and
Armenia. We are also aware of the Turkish position towards Armenia.
However, Armenia is searching for the ways of settling the conflict
and improving the relations with Turkey, which will be supported by
Russia as far as possible’.
Prime-Minister Erdogan expressed solidarity with Russia in this issue
and noted that Turkish policy on Armenia should lead not to an impasse
but a way out. Erdogan condemned Armenia’s position on the issue of
recognizing the Kars Treaty and stated that Turkey has opened air
communication with Armenia, however the negative stance of the latter
leads to the closed land border. Erdogan expressed his concern over
the fact that despite Turkey’s efforts aimed at normalizing relations,
Armenia sticks to anti-Turkish positions. He stated, `We aspire to
settling any disputes with Armenia. We strive for multilateral
development of the relations. Armenia is our only resentful neighbor.
We do not wish to have resentful neighbors’.
On his visit to Moscow, Prime-Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was
accompanied by State minister Kursad Tuzmen, Minster of Energy and
Natural Resources Hilmi Guler, Minister of Industry and Trade Ali
Coskun, Minister of Trade and Social Security Murat Basesgioglu, over
50 deputies, representatives of business and press.
[12-01-2005 ‘Karabagh Conflict’]
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AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA KEEPING TO THEIR POSITIONS
Source : `Echo’ newspaper (Azerbaijan)
Author: R. Orujev
Foreign Ministers of the Two Countries, Elmar Mamedyarov and Vartan
Oskanian Plan to Meet Again
On Tuesday, Prague (Czechia), regular negotiations on Mountainous
Karabagh conflict settlement started with the participation of
Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers – Elmar Mamediarov and
Vartan Oskanian, including OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen.
According to the reports from Czech capital, the negotiations of
Foreign Ministers started at 10.00 by local time. American and Russian
Co-chairmen – Steven Mann and Yuri Merzlakov – participated at the
meeting. Among the participants was Anjey Kasprshik, representative of
OSCE Chairman. The negations lasted for three hours.
After the negotiations, E. Mamediarov declared to the journalists that
despite the problematic character of negotiations they are still
underway. He also noted that by the end of February and early March,
one of European capitals will host another meeting. Mamediarov stated
that the main result of these meetings should be withdrawal of
Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories and return of Azerbaijani
displaced persons to their original places of residence.AR Foreign
Minister noted that in official Baku fundamental issues, Azerbaijani
side will not make any concessions; no compromise will be made as
regards the issue of the country’s territorial integrity.
In his turn, head of Armenian MFA, V. Oskanian, by the end of
negotiations declared that discussion of these issues of settlement is
in open frames. In his opinion, the sides conduct an `open
discussion’. `At these negotiations, the sides consolidated all the
principles agreed upon during previous negotiations’. Oskanian
declared that Armenia has several basic requirements, stating that
Mountainous Karabagh and Azerbaijan should have `horizontal
relations’. Azerbaijan should agree to return official Yerevan the
control over Lachin corridor, linking Armenia with Azerbaijan.
Besides, the Azerbaijani side should provide security guarantees to
Armenian population of Mountainous Karabagh. “However, the Azerbaijani
side has not yet agreed to any of these conditions’, Oskanian stated.
After that, the tête-à-tête meetings between each
of Minsk Group Co-chairmen and Foreign Ministers took place.Yesterday,
head of Azerbaijani MFA press-service, Metin Mirza made a report on
the previous negotiations. He stated that the separate meetings of
Co-chairmen with each of the Ministers raised the issue of sending to
Mountainous Karabagh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan a
mission on establishing facts about populating these lands with
Armenian residents.
According to Mirza, the position of Azerbaijan remains the same: the
subject of negotiations cannot be territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Settlement of Karabagh conflict may only be in the frames of
Azerbaijani territorial integrity, liberation of occupied territories
and return of the refugees to their homes.
Former AR Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tofik Zulfugarov expressed his
view about the current Prague negotiations, `The problem is that it is
the stage-by-stage option of negotiations that is meant, whereas
Armenians want the point on conducting the referendum in Mountainous
Karabagh to become a part of the agreement on liberating part of the
territories just at the first stage. Azerbaijan should agree to
provide the Armenian population of Karabagh with the right for
expressing its free will without any restrictions. Kocharian will not
agree to any other step not determining the status of Mountainous
Karabagh beforehand, because the right for a referendum is de facto
independence of Mountainous Karabagh, and Azerbaijan will not allow
it’.
[12-01-2005 ‘Region’]
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GEORGIA BECOMING A REGIONAL SUPER PLAYER?
Source : `Resonasi’ newspaper (Georgia)
Author: Manana Mchedlishvili
`Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway and `Ilchevsk-Poti’ ferry raise
significance of Georgia
Two new `fibers’ – the railway, linking the Turkish city of Kars with
Georgian Akhalkalaki, and the ferry, navigating between the Russian
port of Ilchevsk and Georgia Poti – join the `Great Silk Route’,
passing via Georgia. The significance of the new regional
transportation arteries, likely to play a large role in interstate
relations of Georgia with the great `northern neighbor’ and the
smaller `southern neighbor’ or the `same weight’ neighbors like
Azerbaijan and Armenia, is discussed by prominent Georgian experts:
economists Sandro Tvalchrelidze and Niko Orvelashvilli, political
scientist Ramaz Sakvarelidze.
In accordance with the agreement, already signed by Georgian Minister
of Economic Development, Aleksi Aleksishvili and Russian Minister of
Transportation, Igor Levitin, within a week’s time, between Georgia
and Russia, a ferry will be launched, connecting the Georgian port of
Poti with the Russian port of Ilchevsk. As regards the second project,
possible railway connection between Georgian city of Akhalkalaki and
Turkish Kars, will be thoroughly considered in early August (2-5
August of the current year) in the Turkish capital Ankara among the
representatives of the railway departments of the two countries. The
construction of 120 kilometers’ railway will be considered, of which
30 kilometers are on Georgian territory, and 90 – in Turkey. The total
cost of the project is approximately 400 million dollars. The Turkish
side is willing to cover the main portion of the costs, according
preliminary data. Russia is also very interested in the railway,
connecting Georgia and Turkey, which gives certain reasons for
assuming that Russian participation in laying the rail route is a
probability. The interest of concrete and potential project
participants is accounted for by sheer economic experience – railway
transportation of the freight is the cheapest and able to reduce the
cost of export-import operations.
For Georgia, claiming for the role of a leading transit state in the
region, implementation of the projects raises great hopes for
increasing both its activity in this plane and improving economic
situation as a whole. Particularly, expert in economic issues, Sandro
Tvalchrelidze thinks that `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway, alongside
strategic advantages, will concretely improve the infrastructure of
the whole Georgian railway. “It will increase the social level of the
regional population, open new job places. `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ rail
route is an integral part of the global project for restoring `Great
Silk Route’ and it may have a huge role in the functioning of
`Europe-Asia’ corridor. Taken the visible potential impact, Georgian
government’s use of the latter is very important. With an accurate
approach, Georgia may not only become a leading country in the region,
but also start playing a significant role on international level.
Neither Turkey, nor Russia will attempt to help us in this
sphere. Future serious role of Georgia largely hinges on our own
forces,’ Sandro Tvalchrelidze stated to `Resonansi’ newspaper.
Another expert in economy sphere, Niko Oravelashvili, in general
agreement with the previous respondent, keeps to the view that Turkey,
having more developed political culture than Russia, is a more
constructive ally for Turkey, as regards increasing the geopolitical
role. `Turkey, a NATO member, aspires to EU membership. In this
respect, we have similar objectives, so we can assume that coincidence
of Turkish and Georgian political vectors may engender a real
strategic alliance to be partially implemented in the construction and
operation of `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway. In addition, it should
certainly be kept in mind that Turkey will not undertake anything
instead of us’, he stated to `Resonansi’ newspaper.
Political scientist Ramaz Sakvarelidze holds that construction of
`Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway will increase Turkish influence in
Georgia. Although, he thinks that it will not be that significant.
`First and foremost, I mean economic influence’. It started quite a
while ago, when the Georgian market came to be filled with Turkish
produce. I want to emphasize that Turkey did not make an optimal use
of this circumstance, since our market mostly gets low quality
commodities, and as a result, Turkish goods do not enjoy such a good
reputation on the Georgian market. For Georgia, optimal use means
functioning of Russian `horizontal’ route – Poti-Ilchevsk ferry and
`vertical’ Turkish route – `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway. In this case,
there will be a real economic crossroad, able to become a serious
`export-import-transit’ knot, not only on regional level, given the
right approach’, he stated to `Resonansi’ newspaper. Besides, he
emphasized that a similar model may work fully given equal
participation of neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia. “The sooner the
work on creating or restoring full-fledged economic cooperation
between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia starts, the better it is for
all’, expert on economic issues Sandro Tvalchrelidze agrees with
Sakvarelidze.
Ramaz Sakvarelidze also thinks that both projects – ferry and railway
ones – are intertwined. His opinion is based on the fact that Russia
has certain difficulties in exporting its oil products to European
markets. Therefore, as Sakvarelidze holds, it may use the opened sea
route to the Georgian port of Poti for subsequent, still hypothetical
connection of Novorossiysk oil terminals with `Baku-Ceyhan’ oil
pipeline route. No less profitable is `Poti-Ilchevsk’ ferry
communication for Turkey, long searching for cheapest ways of
supplying its produce to Russia, whose markets have long been most
tasty morsels for Ankara.
In addition, all three respondents stress that maximum effect from
implementation of the two transportation projects may be reaped by its
main participants in particular and the region as a whole only in case
of pure economic cooperation – free of political implications. Ramaz
Sakvarelidze thus emphasizes that, `Taken the current global
realities, one cannot dictate exclusively his own conditions,
interests. Using similar methods creates problems even for United
States of America. It should be considered that `tricks’ of `cold war’
epoch are a relic of the past’. Note from the Editor: Starting from
this issue, MediaDialogue will feature a piece from Georgian
press. Also, mailing of the Newsletter in Armenian language is
available – to subscribe for it please send a message to the Editor at
[email protected]
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