AZERBAIJAN TO RECONSIDER PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IF CONTRADICTION PROCESSES TO GO ON IN ARMENIA – AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT FIRST VICE SPEAKER
TREND News Agency
March 3 2008
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 March / Trend News corr. I.Alizadeh / If the
clashes, contradictions and public and political actions which occurred
in Armenia after the presidential elections continue in this way
Azerbaijan will re-consider the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. " Armenia is not interested in the peaceful settlement
of the conflict. If the public and political actions in Armenia
continue in this way the issue to peacefully resolve the conflict may
be re-considered. Under the international right principles, Azerbaijan
has the right to restore its territorial integrity through any other
way," Ziyafat Askarov, first Vice Speaker of Azerbaijan, stated during
the meeting with the delegation on International Relations Committee
of MP Chamber of Czechia headed by Yan Khamachek, Committee chairman.
On 19 February, the presidential elections were held in Armenia.
Under the results of the elections, declared by the Central Election
Commission, Serzh Sargsyan the current Prime Minister and State
candidate collected 52.82% of votes and won the elections. Levon
Ter-Petrosan came second with 21.5 votes. Petrosan and his supporters
declared that the results of the elections were false and they staged
a protest. The rally was dispersed by force on 1 and 2 March. As a
result of the rally, eight people died and thousands were injured.
The country was put on Emergency status.
Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is directed at expanding cooperation with
all countries including international organizations.
Touching upon reforms, the first Vice Speaker commented on the steps
taken in security and other spheres.
Askarov informed guests about some Bills passed in Parliament and
significant steps taken within the foreign policy of the country.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988, due to the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Since 1992, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven neighbouring
districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire
agreement which ended the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding
the peaceful negotiations.