Azerbaijani FM accused Armenia of deteriorating situation in the region
30 DECEMBER 2012 [13:40] – TODAY.AZ
Armenia’s continuous unconstructive position in the negotiations on
the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
its reluctance to fulfill the norms and principles of international
law and in parallel steps taken by Yerevan, lead to the aggravation of
the situation in the region, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov said in an interview with Azerbaijani and foreign media
outlets, while answering the question of Trend.
Mammadyarov said that despite the futility of the negotiations held
within the OSCE Minsk Group, 2012 became important in the resolution
of the conflict in terms of strengthening Azerbaijan’s positions in
the international arena.
“Authoritative international organizations such as NATO, OIC and
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) adopted documents on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, which note respect for the territorial
integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized
borders of Azerbaijan, as well as stress the importance of the
conflict resolution on this basis,” he added.
Mammadyarov noted that Armenia should draw conclusions from such a
principled position of these international organizations, which bring
together the vast majority of the international community.
“Armenia should once again review its position and act in accordance
with the international community’s position,” Mammadyarov said.
“Numerous decisions and resolutions accepted by the international
organizations last year, have already defined frames for the conflict
resolution, its legal framework and basic elements. The international
community has a general consensus that the conflict resolution should
begin with the withdrawal of Armenian Armed Forces from Azerbaijan’s
occupied territories, the return of internally displaced persons to
their native land, following which severe consequences of the
occupation through reciprocal steps must be eliminated, that will
serve as establishment of cooperation and atmosphere of trust between
the conflict parties,” Mammadyarov said.
He also noted with regret that preventing a meeting of Armenian and
Azerbaijani communities of Nagorno-Karabakh by Yerevan negatively
impacts forming an atmosphere of trust between them and resolution of
the conflict in general.
“Azerbaijan’s position is clear: we support the peaceful resolution of
the conflict and we are interested in the development of the entire
region. Azerbaijan is ready to direct its high economic potential to
the development of the region. Withdrawal of Armenian Armed Forces
from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories may create conditions for
Armenia to benefit from Azerbaijan’s wide economic potential, as well
as contribute to the creation of a real program of development of
Azerbaijani region – Nagorno-Karabakh, and attracting real
investments. We take Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh as our
citizens and want them to live in good conditions. However, Armenian
Armed Forces remaining on Azerbaijan’s occupied territories is the
main obstacle for this,” Mammadyarov 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 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven 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 regarding the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
/Trend/
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