Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Novruz Mammadov: Neutrality is not observed in the attitude of the US towards Armenia and Azerbaijan â€“ EXCLUSIVE

Novruz Mammadov: Neutrality is not observed in the attitude of the US towards Armenia and Azerbaijan â€“ <font color=red>EXCLUSIVE </font>

16 December 2009 16:14 (UTC +04:00)

Noting that it was impossible to assess the issue explicitly, the department chief said the position of the Azerbaijani structures making statements about it was fair.
â€œThe question is that the US should give explanation to its steps. Of course, this is the position of the Congress, not of the U.S. government. But the Congress is the legislative body of the US. So, the decisions passed by the Congress lay responsibility on the US as a state. In this respect, this decision is not approached explicitly. I think the Azerbaijani parliament and other structures have the right to demand justice in their statements. They have the right to ask why this step is taken, while we are partner, strategic partner of the US, have strong cooperation in all spheres,â€ he said.

According to Novruz Mammadov, it is impossible to find a state like Azerbaijan in the post-Soviet area that has successful, all-round cooperation with the West.
â€œIt can be demonstrated in all spheres. One sphere is particularly important, this is the energy cooperation. This meets more the interests of the West. A question arises. What attitude should be shown towards Azerbaijan in exchange for it, where is the love, attention, aid to Azerbaijan? If the U.S. Congress indeed wants to help people, why doesnâ€™t it allocate aid to one million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs? Azerbaijani state is doing its best to improve their hard conditions. But let the Congress assist those people. Why is Section 907, which bans assistance to Azerbaijan, still in force? While analyzing all of these, we donâ€™t see same attitude toward Armenia and Azerbaijan, non-party and neutrality. This issue concerns us. I think the most important step was made by the Azerbaijani parliament. Its statement should cause certain conclusions at the State Department, White House and the Congress as well and attract their attention. Azerbaijan is an important country for the West and it will be so further. Azerbaijan is an important country not only for its oil, but also for its geo-strategic locationâ€.
The department chief expressed regret for strange position of some forces. â€œThey are trying even to shadow fair position of some forces in Azerbaijan and to explain it within their interestsâ€.