ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: “WE ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE INEFFECTIVE 20-YEARS MEDIATING ACTIVITY OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP” – INTERVIEW – EXCLUSIVE
APA
July 16 2012
Azerbaijan
“The restoration of confidence between Azerbaijan and Armenia takes
a significant place in the settlement of the conflict”
“Armenia must withdraw its armed forces from occupied Azerbaijani
lands for achieving progress in the conflict’s settlement”
Baku. Victoria Dementieva – APA. The interview of Azerbaijani Miister
of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov to APA
– Successes of the Azerbaijani diplomacy and increase of our
country’s image in the world gladden our society very much. In this
respect, the cooperation of our country with the international
organizations attracts special attention. In your opinion, do
Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the international organizations and its
specific dynamic role within these organizations indicate successful
implementation of our country’s foreign policy course? How did we
achieve it at short notice?
– As in the other spheres, the Republic of Azerbaijan continued its
great successes on the foreign policy. As an independent country,
Azerbaijan became member of the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe,
Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Organization of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation and the other international organizations,
continued its active participation and efficient cooperation in the
activity of worthy global and regional organizations. Our country’s
place in the prestigious and worthy organizations within the next
years, invitation to the important international events and being as
one of the countries visited most of all by the high level foreign
ministerial delegations in the region, including among the former
USSR countries show that Azerbaijan’s role in the international arena
increased greatly and it turned into a leader of the region.
– It is beyond doubt that the historical success of the Azerbaijani
diplomacy was its election to the non-permanent membership of the
UN Security Council for 2012-2013 on October 24, 2011. After 17
tours, which passed under intense competition, our country gained
the confidence of the international community and won support of the
UN’s 155 countries. Azerbaijan is the first country from the South
Caucasus and Central Asia that became member of this organization
after collapse of the USSR. Azerbaijan chaired this organization for
the first time in May, 2012. As Azerbaijani President Mr. Ilham Aliyev
noted, “We will first of all defend international law and justice in
the Security Council”.
This victory is an indication of high achievements of Azerbaijan as
a result of implementation of balanced, many-branched and purposive
foreign policy and example of its increasing image both in the
region and the international arena, close participation in the global
processes and at the same time its contribution to the restoration
of peace and tranquility.
At the same time, as a result of purposive and efficient diplomatic
activity, the Republic of Azerbaijan gained support of all members
of the Non-Aligned Movement in Bali city of Indonesia and was elected
member of the movement in the 16th Ministerial Conference on May 26,
2011. The Republic of Azerbaijan, which became a full member of the
Non-Aligned Movement, declared that it is loyal to the Movement’s
principles and goals. Our country gained full support of this
organization within one-year membership to the Movement.
Azerbaijan’s invitation to the Working meeting of G-20 foreign
ministers held in Mexico can be assessed as the next success. It
indicates the interest of developed countries of the world to
Azerbaijan and our country’s leadership in the region.
Our country was also elected Vice-President of THE Intergovernmental
Committee of the UNESCO on Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage
and won support of the member countries by electing to the other
leading posts.
The abovementioned diplomatic successes confirm once again the
action force and balance of the implemented foreign policy. At the
same time, the achieved results set the new tasks to us and open new
opportunities from the point of view of realization of Azerbaijan’s
long-term interests. One of our main tasks is to increase of country’s
prestige and effect opportunities and the effective use of achieved
positions and diplomatic potential.
– The world community demonstrates passive position on settlement
of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. What does Azerbaijan expect from the
world community in this direction?
– As you know, our country’s position on settlement of
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has strong legal bases. The international
organizations reflect in their decisions and resolutions that Armenia
is an occupier, supported the return of refugees and IDPs to their
homes and liberation of Azerbaijan’s occupied areas. Of course, it is
not enough for us, Armenia must be obliged to respect the decisions
of the international organizations and the international law.
Certainly, the main and top priority task of Azerbaijani diplomacy
is the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The efforts of
the Azerbaijani diplomacy led by the Head of State are directed
towards it. The peace negotiations for restoration of sovereignty on
Azerbaijan’s occupied areas and ensuring our territorial integrity
are being continued. But we are dissatisfied with the ineffective
20-years mediating activity of the OSCE Minsk Group. The Azerbaijani
lands are under occupation and about 1 mln refugees and IDPs have
not returned yet to their historical native lands.
The continuation of status-quo creates situation to continue indefinite
and unexpected dangerous situation in the region. Leaders of the OSCE
Minsk Group’s member-states announced clearly that the existence of
status-quo in the region was unacceptable. The proposal titled updated
Madrid Principles, which was made by the three co-chairing countries,
was presented to the sides and Azerbaijan announced that it was ready
to continue negotiations, including to begin work on the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement. Unfortunately, Armenia refused this proposal. Today,
the restoration of confidence between Azerbaijan and Armenia takes
a significant place in the settlement of the conflict. Many attempts
must be shown to obtain it.
– The number of diplomatic representations of Azerbaijan in foreign
countries is rapidly increasing. What does this process serve for?
– Currently more than 70 diplomatic representations of Azerbaijan
operate in foreign countries. These representations fulfill
their duties in ensuring the national interests of our country,
implementation of foreign policy, development of bilateral and
multilateral relations, as well as popularization of our country
abroad, protection of right of Azerbaijani citizens and our compatriots
living abroad.
Much work is carried out towards popularization of our country. The
cultural events, various publications, exhibitions, academic meetings
and other initiatives can be included here.
Beside the Azerbaijani representations, our compatriots and
people loving Azerbaijan must operate together for the purpose
of popularization of Azerbaijan and its introduction to the world
community
– Are there changes in regional policy of Azerbaijan?
– Our country is situated in a strategic geography. Azerbaijan tries
to create the relations with its neighbor countries, excluding Armenian
because of definite reasons, on such principles as friendship, friendly
neighborhood, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs
of the countries. Generally, it’s planned to develop foreign policy of
Azerbaijan not only in multilateral, but also in bilateral directions.
Today Azerbaijan is a leading country in the region. Azerbaijan has
already changed from the country that received foreign investments and
became investor itself. Today Azerbaijan mostly intends to invest in
the countries of the region and our projects with Turkey and Georgia
indicate it. This process will have more intensive character and it
gives us the right to say that the economic power will be increasing
year by year.
As regards Armenia, I’d like to stress that unfortunately, Armenia
continues its occupation foreign policy and isolates itself from all
economic projects in the region. Armenia must withdraw its armed
forces from occupied Azerbaijani lands for achieving progress in
the conflict’s settlement. The non-constructive approach of Armenian
administration has a negative effect not only on the future of the
region, but also on this country’s own future.