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Zurab Noghaideli: The regional security architecture should be reestablished in the South Caucasus - EXCLUSIVE

Zurab Noghaideli: The regional security architecture should be reestablished in the South Caucasus - <font color=red>EXCLUSIVE</font>

26 November 2009 14:01 (UTC +04:00)

-Traditionally, there has been friendship, peaceful neighborhood between Azerbaijan and Georgia, and these relations are continuing. How do you assess the present state of the relations between the two countries?

-No doubt, Azerbaijan-Georgia relations will improve and strengthen. Unfortunately, there are a number of problems in these relations, though at first sight they seem to be positive. Tomorrow there will be real strategic relations between our countries. Speaking of the problems in Azerbaijan-Georgia relations, I mean Mikhail Saakashvili led Georgia to war and destroyed the regional security architecture. This architecture should be reestablished.

-Do the problems in the relations between the two countries also include the problems of the Azerbaijanis living in Georgia?

-Like other nations, the Azerbaijanis living in Georgia also share out problems and achievements. Speaking about the problems I mean that the August happenings destroyed the regional security, it should be reestablished. Georgia-Azerbaijan relations should always be on good level. These relations will be on high level when we come to power.

-The regional security architecture was destroyed not only by last yearâ€™s war, but much earlier â€“ it was destroyed as a result of Armeniaâ€™s aggression against Azerbaijan that is still going onâ€¦

- Certainly. I agree with you. Speaking of the security architecture of the Caucasus I did not mean that at present it is ideal. Of course, security architecture was destroyed because of a number of reasons, including Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. There are a number of unsolved problems in the South Caucasus. I think we should strengthen our efforts to solve these problems. It is impossible to establish transparent, stable security architecture in the Caucasus unless these problems are solved fully. I am glad that Armenia and Azerbaijan continue negotiations on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Unfortunately, the process of settlement is going slowly, but it should be noted that there are promising signs in this process.