AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION: ARMENIA LAGS BEHIND DEVELOPMENT IN S.CAUCASUS BECOMING VICTIM OF SEPARATIST INTENTIONS (PHOTO)
T.Hajiyev
Trend
Aug 28, 2011
Azerbaijan
Armenia has lagged behind economic, political and social development
in the South Caucasus becoming victim of its separatist intentions and
ambitions, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political
Department Chief Ali Hasanov told journalists in Batumi on Sunday.
The South Caucasus is the region, where happiness and prosperity of
one nation cannot be built on another’s unhappiness. The profound
development of one nation and tough status of another is very hard
for the South Caucasus,” Hasanov added.
Unity of the South Caucasus cannot be the question unless ethnic
conflicts are resolved in the region, he underscored.
“The Armenians should abandon their separatist claims to ensure
development of the South Caucasus. The forces causing other conflicts
in the South Caucasus should abandon their claims, and the South
Caucasus peoples should ensure their future,” Hasanov said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
He said Azerbaijan implements a number of projects to tackle social,
economic and cultural problems of Azerbaijanis residing in Georgia.
“They are carried out at a state level, and by non-governmental
organizations, as well as at various regional levels. The Azerbaijanis
residing here should know the Georgian language to become an integral
part of the Georgian community and to be represented in state agencies
and electoral authorities. Institutions should be created to unite
the Azerbaijanis residing here. We want the Azerbaijanis residing
here to support the Georgian community in hard times, as well as
benefit successes and achievements of Georgia. In addition to being
noble citizens of their country, we want them to contribute to the
development of this country,” he underlined.
From: A. Papazian