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Azerbaijani President: Negotiations on Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are on the decisive stage

13 July 2011 02:28 (UTC +04:00)

The Head of State firstly said that the last joint declaration by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are very encouraging and makes us feel satisfied. Because this statement referred to the Helsinki Final Act theses. The Helsinki Final Act is showed as a basis for resolving the conflict. There is no contrast between the principles of territorial integrity and the principles of self-determination of peoples, and the issue on resolving conflict in the framework of the countriesâ€™ territorial integrity.

According to him, the second important point is that the statement and subsequent statements the Co-Chairs said that the status quo must be changed, the status quo is unacceptable. This means that changing the status quo must ensure the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation. Within last 20 years, the Armenian side has tried and tries to keep status quo unchanged and, thus, no change in the situation.

The third important point is the activity of Minsk Group co-chairs relating to this matter. "We see this activity, the public also knows this. Prior to the meeting in Kazan, I had a telephone conversation with President Barrack Obama. On the eve of the meeting in Kazan, French President Sarkozy has sent me a message related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Kazan meeting, as you know, was held at the initiative of Russian President Medvedev. After meeting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turned to me with a message, and then I had telephone conversation with Hillary Clinton", - he said.

Aliyev said that after the meeting in Kazan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, and finally, President Medvedev sent to Baku of his foreign minister, who presented the message of the Russian President. That is, the mere enumerations of these facts indicate that the activity really reached a high limit, and we are very pleased and encouraged. Therefore, we hope that this activity will lead to real results. We see that currently co-chair countries are trying hard to basic principles were agreed upon as soon as possible and thus created the conditions for the preparation of a peace treaty. We also want this, want to, perhaps more than anyone else. Since this is our land, and the Armenian invaders for nearly 20 years of occupying them. The most interested side in the resolving this conflict is Azerbaijanâ€, - he said.

At the same time, the President emphasized that Azerbaijan has always demonstrated a maximum constructive. In 2004, the format of the talks appeared under the name "Prague process", and this process goes forward, was agreed some issues exchanging of views on complex issues in the negotiations. As a continuation of the Prague process, the parties were represented the Madrid principles. These principles consist of several paragraphs and were very general in nature. Azerbaijan in a very few exceptions generally adopted the principles. Based on these principles until the end of 2009 the OSCE Minsk Group, that is, all three co-chairs - the United States, France and Russia have presented both sides of the updated Madrid principles. It was in late 2009. In the beginning, rather, in January 2010, Russian President Medvedev invited the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi, where he held a trilateral meeting. At that meeting, Azerbaijan made clear that receives updated Madrid principles.
"We did not write these principles. We have not invented these principles. These were the principles which jointly presented and on which many years of working America, France and Russia. The Armenian side has not adopted these principles, and then we can say in the negotiations there is some congestion, as the regular meeting held within six months, in June 2010 in St. Petersburg", - President Aliyev said.

â€œWhat are the updated Madrid principles? I believe that this issue should not be any doubts and misunderstandings. I think the time has come to talk about it. First of all, there is provided for withdrawal of occupation forces of Armenia from the occupied lands. Included the immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from five districts in five years - from the two regions and the return of Azerbaijani citizens to their native lands. These proposals also have been providing temporary status to Nagorno Karabakh. The functioning of the corridor between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia was also in those principles. To ensure the safety of both Armenian and Azerbaijani population was necessary input to the region of peacekeeping forces. Also was to be ensured the return of all the people in the former places of residenceâ€, - he said.

â€œIn short, these principles are consist of them. Parameters of the corridor that connects Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia were also part of those principles. I believe that this option could be adopted. Of course, it is basic principles. On this basis, should be negotiated based on which is to be prepared a peace treaty. Of course, when it is ready to a peace treaty, the final decision to take the people of Azerbaijan. Updated Madrid principles put forward by the co-chair countries to continue the negotiations could be taken. Unfortunately, the Armenian side did not accept these principles, refused them, and then, in the negotiating process until mid-2010 appeared stagnant. And then began to put forward new proposals. Sometimes these deals are negotiated and changed the basic principles of negotiation that we had in the past seven yearsâ€- the Head of the State said.

â€œSo now we face a new situation. Azerbaijan is interested in constructive negotiations. Azerbaijan has demonstrated its will in 2009 and in early 2010. Has shown once again that the commitment to peaceful negotiations and these negotiations must lead to a peace treaty. We are negotiating not just for the sake of negotiations or for simulating and creating visibility. Here, between Azerbaijan and Armenia, quite a big difference. Armenia always tries to make the status quo remain unchanged, aims to show that they were allegedly involved in the negotiations and demonstrate a constructive approach. Although they have always tried to disrupt the talks", - he noted.

President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has clearly demonstrated its constructiveness. And today, ready to demonstrate, those principles. All citizens of Azerbaijan have to return to areas that are now under occupation. After that, peace can be established. After this, cooperation can be. With regard to the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh, in the principles of 2009, it was stated that issue of the future, and if the parties consent it can be solved. That is, without the consent of Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh can not be any legal status. "Thatâ€™s why I have repeatedly said, and today I want to say again that the separation of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh granting independence or joining it to Armenia has never been and never will be the subject of negotiations. Neither the government of Azerbaijan, nor the people of Azerbaijan will never accept this", - Azerbaijani President said.

According to him, listing all of these issues shows the world the good will of Azerbaijan, which has always demonstrated a constructive approach in negotiations. At this stage, the whole world pays great attention to this issue. â€œRecently I visited European Union. The visit had great importance to strengthening ties between the EU and Azerbaijan. Most importantly, this visit was very important to choose the right directions for future cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. We feel close enough to our positions concerning the future of joint cooperation, so it should be. Since we intend to carry out long-term cooperation with the European Union. Therefore, each question must be marked clearly. Among the issues discussed and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Messages, phone calls, the leaders of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group - with all this activity, a positive atmosphere is extremely inappropriate, absurd, hysterical statements by the Armenian government has recently acted contrary to the spirit of the negotiation process. We try not to miss this opportunity. We are trying at this stage to take steps so that the basic principles in a short time had been agreed", - President Aliyev said.

â€œThe President stressed that the Armenian side does the same the other way around. Recent statements by the Armenian leadership show their intent. As such, they threaten to Azerbaijan by the war. Savages, who led a war against us, carried out against the policy of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis, committed Khojaly genocide, now again threatened Azerbaijan by the war. Themselves were shaking with fear before the war and still threaten us with war", - He stressed.

The Head of State pointed out that perhaps one reason that observed in recent months, international activity is that the state of Azerbaijan is a strong state, and the Azeri army is a strong army. Everyone, including Armenia, wallowing in poverty, living at the expense of foreign handouts, it is known that Armenia and Azerbaijan are at disparate levels. "We develop, get stronger, our people are richer, our country is growing, and they live in poverty. Over the past six months 70 000 Armenians left the country forever. After 5-10 years there will be less than 1 million Armenians. That is, everyone understands that the processes are developing in this direction. Grow financial resources, political power in Azerbaijan, strengthening its regional position, increasing the army, rising population figures. Our population is growing, but their - is declining. After 5-10 years, the number of our population is 11 million, and they - one million people. Everyone understands what that means. We can decide these paths in their favor. Therefore, one of the reasons for this activity lies in the fact that as soon as possible to resolve the issue. We want this. But, again, based on proposals from the data itself by the Minsk Group", - Azerbaijani President said.

â€œWe must think about future plans. Minsk Group should again come to the region. Now the situation is so. I would like to see and history, and current status, and, most importantly, the desire of Armenia again disrupt the peace process were clear to both the Azerbaijani and world public", - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.