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President Ilham Aliyev: The issue of granting independence to Nagorno Karabakh at whatever time, even after 100 years, is not discussed in negotiations

17 October 2009 09:38 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. â€œAzerbaijani army is the strongest in the region with the largest military capabilities. We need to continue to expand this capacity because, as I said, we live at war. The war is not over yet, and the negotiations on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, unfortunately, have not give any results yet,â€ Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a governmental meeting.

â€œAnd the only reason for this is the unconstructive position of Armenia. Now the Armenian side employs the delaying tactics in the negotiation process. This is not something new. We saw it at various stages of negotiations. At certain crucial moments they try to once again bring up the already agreed questions. This has been frequent before, unfortunately, we see such behaviour at the present stage to. In some cases, we and the mediators involved in this conflict, are very surprised when we see that they bring up the questions agreed one or three years ago again as new topics. This may be only one explanation - the deliberate delaying tactic.
The Armenian side should take practical steps - Armenia should withdraw all its troops from occupied Azerbaijani lands, including lands around Nagorno-Karabakh. This question has already been agreed to many years ago. There can be no other opinion. As the only explanation for repeated return to this issue and other issues already agreed upon, we see the following: artificially protracting the time and, damage the negotiation process in the decisive moments. But we will never retract from its principled position.
All the achievements in the negotiation process on the one hand, are fine and good basis for further process. On the other hand, the settlement of the conflict within the principles of territorial integrity, and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, is reflected in the negotiating process and the agreed issues. The independence of Nagorno Karabakh at whenever time, even after 100 years is not discussed in the negotiations and the negotiated issues, and never will it happen. Therefore, we seek an early solution to the question on the basis of internationally recognized norms and principles. And these are based on the fact that all the occupied Azerbaijani lands must be liberated from the invaders. Citizens of Azerbaijan, internally displaced persons should return to their native lands, including to Nagorno-Karabakh. This issue is also reflected in the negotiating process. Then the peacekeeping force will perform peacekeeping mission there. We are not opposed to this. Nagorno-Karabakh may be granted temporary status. But this does not mean independence, and the two parties - Armenia and Azerbaijan will continue to discuss the future status of Nagorno Karabakh in the further negotiations. Here are the basic principles. Negotiations are being conducted around them, and I hope that the Armenian side will soon take the steps necessary to solve the problem by showing constructive position.
Armenia has been isolated due to the activity of its leaders. It is no secret that maybe the recent happenings in the region will inspirit Armenia. Maybe now they consider that their long-lasting isolation is about to end. I do not share these views, the ongoing processes in the region, Azerbaijanâ€™s active participation in the region, all the initiatives of Azerbaijan â€“ political, economic and other initiatives, Azerbaijanâ€™s growing role in the region and in the world will never enable Armenia to get rid of the isolated situation. Armenian leaders are guilty in its isolation. We are ready to reopen all communications, peace and cooperation may be established in the region, the countriesâ€™ security may be ensured, if Armenia withdraws its forces from the occupied territories. No positive improvement may be made unless Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is solved, because the main problem of the region is Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. I think it is not right both from political and moral aspect to ignore this problem and solve any other problem. On the other hand, I think it is impossible, because Azerbaijanâ€™s growing opportunities will not allow this. We will struggle for our national interests till the end. This is the struggle for justice. Of course, we will defend our national interests by all means.
Azerbaijan most of all wants the status quo in the region to change. This status quo keeps our territories under occupation for 20 years. But this status quo should change positively. If the status quo changes at the cost of Azerbaijanâ€™s interests, we will not allow it. The first issue should be solved â€“ Armenia should withdraw its forces from our territories. After that peace and cooperation may be established in the region and in this case Azerbaijan will take active part in this. Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has not been solved yet. If somebody wants to freeze it, ignore this issue and solve another problem, we will never agree to it and will struggle against these actions by all means.
I know that Azerbaijanâ€™s position is no secret to anybody. We have expressed our principled position several times formally and informally and tried to explain that no problem â€“ political, diplomatic, economic, energy, transport - can be solved without Azerbaijanâ€™s participation. This is a reality. Some may like it and others may not. But this is a reality and we have created these realities. We have created these realities with our expedient activity, by strengthening Azerbaijan, our economic and political potential, by pursuing successful and wise energy policy. As time goes, our position in the region will strengthen, our economic, political, diplomatic and military power will strengthen and all should consider this. I reiterate: Azerbaijan will not backtrack on its principled position in the process of negotiations or in other processes in the region,â€ Ilham Aliyev said.