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Elmar Mammadyarov: I would like to believe that Armenia will demonstrate a political will

02 March 2007 17:19 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijanâ€™s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has been interviewed by the APA

- What will be the priorities of Azerbaijanâ€™s foreign policy this year? Mainly what countries President Ilham Aliyev will visit this year?
- The foreign policy priorities serving the national interests of our country remain unchanged. Of course, these priorities are the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the framework of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity, strengthening of security and stability in the region and further expansion of large-scale economic projects. Azerbaijan should benefit from its important strategic-geographical position between the West and East. We focus on the integration into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. The adoption of the European Neighborhood Policy action plan, ongoing successful development of cooperation with NATO within the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) is the logical continuation of the strategic cooperation. At the same time Azerbaijan is interested in development of relations with eastern countries, particularly the member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) both in the framework of the organization and development of bilateral relations. You know, Azerbaijan is chairing the OIC this year. Benefiting from this chance, Baku will host a large conference â€œThe role of the media in development of tolerance and mutual understandingâ€? in April this year. This conference is sure to attract great attention of both Muslim countries and the world community and encourage development of intercultural relations.
- Are there still hopes that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict-the greatest problem of Azerbaijan can be resolved diplomatically? What trade-offs are possible from Azerbaijani side?
- I think there still exists potential of negotiations for the resolution of the conflict in the framework of the Prague process. We offer a high autonomy that exists in the world practice to the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh in the framework of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity on condition that Armenia withdraw its troops from the occupied territories, returning of our internally displaced persons to their native lands and normal life condition are ensured. In fact, this offer should be regarded a great trade-off. I would like to believe that Armenia will demonstrate a political will.
- Do you think the meeting of the heads of state is expected following your next meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian?
- The negotiations in Moscow in January this year on the core principles of the settlement were intensive enough. We have agreed most of the discussed issues. Regrettably, Armenia fails to demonstrate political will. On the other hand, Armenian Diasporas in foreign countries are posing artificial obstacles to the settlement of the conflict. The parties have agreed to the continuation of the foreign ministersâ€™ meeting through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. As to the meeting of the Presidents, this depends on the meetings of the foreign ministers and the visits of the co-chairs to the region.
- Why does Azerbaijan fail to actively demand the implementation of the UN Security Councilâ€™s 4 Resolutions on the Nagorno-Karabakh? When will the â€œfrozen conflictsâ€? in GUAM countries be debated at the UN General Assembly? Has the text of the resolution been prepared?
- I do not agree to this question. President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Ministry and our permanent representation to the United Nations have been making strong efforts in this direction for many years. The negotiating process for the settlement of the conflict has one and the same aim. The GUAM countries are suffering from the problem of â€œfrozen conflictsâ€?. We tried to benefit from all momentums to deliver detailed, true information about this problem to the representatives of the UN member states from Azerbaijani side and in the framework of the GUAM. Important documents such as the joint statement on the â€œfrozen conflictsâ€? adopted by GUAM Council of Ministers in Brussels in December, 2006, the statements made by the representatives of the GUAM countries at the 14th meeting of OSCE Council of Ministers and at the sessions of the UN General Assembly can be shown as example. GUAM countries continue to make efforts and have already agreed to put the issue to the debate of the UN Assembly by September this year depending on the working procedures of the Assembly.
- How do you assess your visit to Kazakhstan? What documents have been signed within the framework of the visit?
- Kazakhstan recognized the sovereignty of Azerbaijan in 1992. It has established mutual diplomatic relations with our country. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are successfully cooperating in the fields of politics, trade-economy, financing-banking system, oil-gas industry, education, culture and some other spheres. Our countries have concluded 88 documents. In addition to that, Kazakhstan joined the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project. We have more common interests now. The 15th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries will be marked this year. During my latest visit to Kazakhstan, the discussions covered improvement of the existing agreements on cooperation of trade, transport, finance, law enforcement bodies, two documents on visa-free travel and partnership between the two countries were signed. The project of cultural events to be held within a year is being discussed now. As to exchange of development experience, it is necessary to take into consideration specific features of Azerbaijan, region where a country is situated, its economy. The development way of any country is a unique experience. Azerbaijan has always supported positive exchange of experience between the countries and we do not rule out using a suitable experience in the socio-economic development of our country in future.
- What issues will be highlighted in GUAMâ€™s summit in Baku this year? Do you think GUAM peacekeeping forces can be deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh? What will be the OSCEâ€™s reaction?
- GUAMâ€™s main objectives are to reinforce all-round cooperation of the participating states, strengthen international and regional relationships. GUAM countries face similar problems and challenges. The organization is concerned over the aggressions against the territorial integrity of the member states. In this context, as in its previous meetings, the summit in Baku will focus on the solution of the â€œfrozen conflictsâ€?, ways of preventing threats to the maintenance of stability. The discussions in the summit will also focus on interparliamentary relations, humanitarian as well as issues concerning economic and energy security. As to the use of GUAM peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan is not against activities to ensure security in Nagorno-Karabakh after Armenia withdraws from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. But there is an agreement that the representatives of the OSCE and the parties to the conflict will not participate in these activities.
- In what countries Azerbaijan is expected to establish its diplomatic representations this year?
- Increasing the number of Azerbaijanâ€™s diplomatic representations in foreign countries create us more opportunities to pursue our foreign policy, defend the rights and interests of our citizens and most importantly, to widen the knowledge of the world community about Armeniaâ€™s aggression and crimes against our country. Last year Azerbaijan opened its embassies in Indonesia, Morocco, Korea and Malaysia, consulate in Dubai, embassy in Egypt based in Tripoli in Libya and embassy in Saudi Arabia based in Jeddah. New ambassadors have been appointed to the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The parliament has passed relevant decision on establishing our embassies in Sweden, Croatia, Lithuania, Qatar, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Argentina and Mexico. /APA/