AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT: NEGOTIATIONS ON ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT ARE ON THE DECISIVE STAGE
APA
July 12 2011
Azerbaijan
Baku-APA. “Negotiations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflicts are conducting long time and we are almost on the decisive
stage of the negotiations. So would like to inform Azerbaijani people
on the latest events that happened”, – Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said at the meeting of the Cabinet dedicated to the outcomes
of the socio-economic development in the first half of 2011, APA
reports quoting AzerTAc.
The Head of State firstly said that the last joint declaration by
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are very encouraging and makes us feel
satisfied. Because this statement referred to the Helsinki Final Act
theses. The Helsinki Final Act is showed as a basis for resolving the
conflict. There is no contrast between the principles of territorial
integrity and the principles of self-determination of peoples, and
the issue on resolving conflict in the framework of the countries’
territorial integrity.
According to him, the second important point is that the statement
and subsequent statements the Co-Chairs said that the status quo must
be changed, the status quo is unacceptable. This means that changing
the status quo must ensure the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from
occupation. Within last 20 years, the Armenian side has tried and tries
to keep status quo unchanged and, thus, no change in the situation.
The third important point is the activity of Minsk Group co-chairs
relating to this matter. “We see this activity, the public also knows
this. Prior to the meeting in Kazan, I had a telephone conversation
with President Barrack Obama. On the eve of the meeting in Kazan,
French President Sarkozy has sent me a message related to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Kazan meeting, as you know, was held at the
initiative of Russian President Medvedev. After meeting U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton turned to me with a message, and then I had
telephone conversation with Hillary Clinton”, – he said.
Aliyev said that after the meeting in Kazan, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, and finally,
President Medvedev sent to Baku of his foreign minister, who presented
the message of the Russian President. That is, the mere enumerations
of these facts indicate that the activity really reached a high limit,
and we are very pleased and encouraged. Therefore, we hope that this
activity will lead to real results. We see that currently co-chair
countries are trying hard to basic principles were agreed upon as soon
as possible and thus created the conditions for the preparation of a
peace treaty. We also want this, want to, perhaps more than anyone
else. Since this is our land, and the Armenian invaders for nearly
20 years of occupying them. The most interested side in the resolving
this conflict is Azerbaijan”, – he said.
At the same time, the President emphasized that Azerbaijan has
always demonstrated a maximum constructive. In 2004, the format of
the talks appeared under the name “Prague process”, and this process
goes forward, was agreed some issues exchanging of views on complex
issues in the negotiations. As a continuation of the Prague process,
the parties were represented the Madrid principles. These principles
consist of several paragraphs and were very general in nature.
Azerbaijan in a very few exceptions generally adopted the principles.
Based on these principles until the end of 2009 the OSCE Minsk Group,
that is, all three co-chairs – the United States, France and Russia
have presented both sides of the updated Madrid principles. It was in
late 2009. In the beginning, rather, in January 2010, Russian President
Medvedev invited the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi,
where he held a trilateral meeting. At that meeting, Azerbaijan made
clear that receives updated Madrid principles.
“We did not write these principles. We have not invented these
principles. These were the principles which jointly presented and on
which many years of working America, France and Russia. The Armenian
side has not adopted these principles, and then we can say in the
negotiations there is some congestion, as the regular meeting held
within six months, in June 2010 in St. Petersburg”, – President
Aliyev said.
“What are the updated Madrid principles? I believe that this issue
should not be any doubts and misunderstandings. I think the time has
come to talk about it. First of all, there is provided for withdrawal
of occupation forces of Armenia from the occupied lands. Included the
immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from five districts in five
years – from the two regions and the return of Azerbaijani citizens to
their native lands. These proposals also have been providing temporary
status to Nagorno Karabakh. The functioning of the corridor between
Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia was also in those principles. To ensure
the safety of both Armenian and Azerbaijani population was necessary
input to the region of peacekeeping forces. Also was to be ensured the
return of all the people in the former places of residence”, – he said.
“In short, these principles are consist of them. Parameters of the
corridor that connects Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia were also part
of those principles. I believe that this option could be adopted. Of
course, it is basic principles. On this basis, should be negotiated
based on which is to be prepared a peace treaty. Of course, when it
is ready to a peace treaty, the final decision to take the people
of Azerbaijan. Updated Madrid principles put forward by the co-chair
countries to continue the negotiations could be taken. Unfortunately,
the Armenian side did not accept these principles, refused them, and
then, in the negotiating process until mid-2010 appeared stagnant. And
then began to put forward new proposals. Sometimes these deals are
negotiated and changed the basic principles of negotiation that we
had in the past seven years”- the Head of the State said.
“So now we face a new situation. Azerbaijan is interested in
constructive negotiations. Azerbaijan has demonstrated its will in
2009 and in early 2010. Has shown once again that the commitment to
peaceful negotiations and these negotiations must lead to a peace
treaty. We are negotiating not just for the sake of negotiations or
for simulating and creating visibility. Here, between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, quite a big difference. Armenia always tries to make the
status quo remain unchanged, aims to show that they were allegedly
involved in the negotiations and demonstrate a constructive approach.
Although they have always tried to disrupt the talks”, – he noted.
President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has clearly demonstrated
its constructiveness. And today, ready to demonstrate, those
principles. All citizens of Azerbaijan have to return to areas that
are now under occupation. After that, peace can be established. After
this, cooperation can be. With regard to the legal status of
Nagorno-Karabakh, in the principles of 2009, it was stated that issue
of the future, and if the parties consent it can be solved. That is,
without the consent of Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh can not be any
legal status. “That’s why I have repeatedly said, and today I want to
say again that the separation of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh granting independence or joining it to Armenia has
never been and never will be the subject of negotiations. Neither
the government of Azerbaijan, nor the people of Azerbaijan will never
accept this”, – Azerbaijani President said.
According to him, listing all of these issues shows the world the
good will of Azerbaijan, which has always demonstrated a constructive
approach in negotiations. At this stage, the whole world pays great
attention to this issue. “Recently I visited European Union. The
visit had great importance to strengthening ties between the EU
and Azerbaijan. Most importantly, this visit was very important to
choose the right directions for future cooperation between the EU
and Azerbaijan. We feel close enough to our positions concerning
the future of joint cooperation, so it should be. Since we intend to
carry out long-term cooperation with the European Union. Therefore,
each question must be marked clearly. Among the issues discussed and
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Messages, phone calls, the leaders of
the co-chairs of the Minsk Group – with all this activity, a positive
atmosphere is extremely inappropriate, absurd, hysterical statements
by the Armenian government has recently acted contrary to the spirit
of the negotiation process. We try not to miss this opportunity. We
are trying at this stage to take steps so that the basic principles
in a short time had been agreed”, – President Aliyev said.
“The President stressed that the Armenian side does the same the other
way around. Recent statements by the Armenian leadership show their
intent. As such, they threaten to Azerbaijan by the war. Savages,
who led a war against us, carried out against the policy of ethnic
cleansing of Azerbaijanis, committed Khojaly genocide, now again
threatened Azerbaijan by the war. Themselves were shaking with fear
before the war and still threaten us with war”, – He stressed.
The Head of State pointed out that perhaps one reason that observed in
recent months, international activity is that the state of Azerbaijan
is a strong state, and the Azeri army is a strong army. Everyone,
including Armenia, wallowing in poverty, living at the expense of
foreign handouts, it is known that Armenia and Azerbaijan are at
disparate levels. “We develop, get stronger, our people are richer,
our country is growing, and they live in poverty. Over the past
six months 70 000 Armenians left the country forever. After 5-10
years there will be less than 1 million Armenians. That is, everyone
understands that the processes are developing in this direction. Grow
financial resources, political power in Azerbaijan, strengthening its
regional position, increasing the army, rising population figures. Our
population is growing, but their – is declining. After 5-10 years, the
number of our population is 11 million, and they – one million people.
Everyone understands what that means. We can decide these paths in
their favor. Therefore, one of the reasons for this activity lies in
the fact that as soon as possible to resolve the issue. We want this.
But, again, based on proposals from the data itself by the Minsk
Group”, – Azerbaijani President said.
“We must think about future plans. Minsk Group should again come to
the region. Now the situation is so. I would like to see and history,
and current status, and, most importantly, the desire of Armenia
again disrupt the peace process were clear to both the Azerbaijani
and world public”, – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.
From: A. Papazian