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Elmar Mammadyarov: Wrong to think that the problem of territorial integrity can be solved in military way -EXCLUSIVE

Elmar Mammadyarov: Wrong to think that the problem of territorial integrity can be solved in military way <font color=red>-EXCLUSIVE</font>

07 December 2007 09:36 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarovâ€™s exclusive interview to APA

-What are Azerbaijanâ€™s prospects in OSCE?
-OSCE is a multilateral organization covering the issues like security, formation of democratic society, supporting reforms and formation of civil society. All these issues are interesting for Azerbaijan and are the countryâ€™s prospects of cooperation with OSCE.
-Does Azerbaijan plan to initiate on chairing OSCE?
-Azerbaijan does not plan such steps. Taking into account Nagorno Karabakh conflict, it is difficult to say that putting forward such an initiative is expedient. We supported Kazakhstanâ€™s initiative to chair OSCE and consider it is high time that one of the Post-Soviet countries chair the organization.
-How is the situation on the organization member statesâ€™ presenting the resolution on GUAM â€œfrozen conflictsâ€ to the UN General Assembly? Will it be possibly debated in the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly?
-This issue does not only depend on Azerbaijanâ€™s decision or will. This issue has been prepared by consensus of foreign ministers of other GUAM states. In this respect, it is necessary for GUAM countries to exchange views. Issue on â€œfrozen conflictsâ€ in GUAM was also discussed at the meeting of GUAM Foreign Ministersâ€™ Council in Madrid.
-On what stage is the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict? Is it possible to say that the situation returned to point zero after St. Petersburg meeting of the presidents?
-Everything depends on Armeniaâ€™s political will. This issue raises awareness. We should explain to our Armenian counterpart that their policy, as well as occupation of the territories, displacing people from their native lands is wrong. This is first of all unproductive policy from the aspect of the countryâ€™s national interests, normal development of regional relations and the security of the region. The earlier they understand it, the better it would be for all.
-Are Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents planned to meet?
-It was not discussed during my meeting with the co-chairs and Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan.
-Presidential elections are coming in Azerbaijan and Armenia. These elections will cause â€œtime outâ€ in negotiations process, is it so?
- Undoubtedly elections always impact these processes. Elections are regarded very sensitive process in the background of issues like negotiations among nations. I think the elections in Azerbaijan and Armenia will not remain uninfluenced on the process of negotiations. But we can not stop the process â€“ process should go on, we should continue the negotiations. The other issue is that we should direct Armenian side to constructiveness through these or those methods. We should invite Armenia to constructive position and explain that this issue should respond seriously to international interests of Armenia firstly. I would like to add one more issue that it is wrong to think that territorial integrity of the state can be solved in military way. This is not right statement of a question, if it was so, it would date us back to mid 20th century when such issues were solved in military way.
-Miklos Haraszti, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media sent you a letter covering his anxiety on the state of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. Daniel Fried, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs debated this issue with Azerbaijani ambassador to US. Does this situation negatively impact international image of Azerbaijan?
-Everything depends on presenting these issues. If we approach to it from the point of view of internal development of the society, we can see that there are pragmatic elements here. Journalism should be more professional. We have established special press service in Foreign Ministry and hold weekly briefings for informing people about what happen. I can say that publications like â€œWashington Postâ€, â€œNew York Timesâ€ phone to Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington while writing article about Azerbaijan or elucidating any issue regarding our country and specify information. They were taking such steps for not giving false information. But to our regret, there is not such practice in Azerbaijan. When we speak about necessity of specifying information, it is assessed as attack to the freedom of media. I also believe that level of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan is not lower than the level of freedom of media in other post-soviet countries. It is known that there are very serious problems in the field of journalism in Azerbaijan. Therefore we debated issue on instituting special grants for ensuring journalistsâ€™ passing experience abroad with our counterparts from European Union, Council of Europe (CE) and OSCE. Azerbaijani journalists can increase their professionalism abroad on the account of these grant programs and learn international standards concerning this field. We can not call everyone with a pen in his hand a journalist. Journalism is a responsible profession, I can even say that this field demands special talent. /APA/