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Azerbaijani Foreign Minister: â€œThe main problem preventing the regional development is the Nagorno Karabakh conflictâ€

02 March 2012 08:54 (UTC +04:00)

The minister said Azerbaijan made important contribution to the diversification of the energy routes. â€œAll these energy projects make to say that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner. Azerbaijanâ€™s election as the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council is one of the countryâ€™s international achievements. It enables Azerbaijan to participate actively in combating global challenges â€“ terrorism, human traffic and other global threats. We have good relations with neighbor countries. But there is a problem preventing the regional development, this is Nagorno Karabakh conflictâ€, said the minister and added that despite UN Security Council adopted four resolutions on this conflict, Azerbaijani lands are still under the occupation and internally displaced persons couldnâ€™t return to their homeland.

â€œThis situation speaks about the existence of double standards. Other UN resolutions are fulfilled, but four resolutions adopted on Nagorno Karabakh conflict have not been fulfilled yetâ€.

Elmar Mammadyarov also touched on the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group.
â€œAll our efforts aim to achieve progress in the negotiations, liberate our lands and ensure returning of the internally displaced persons. Unfortunately, no progress has been made in the negotiations, because of the unconstructive position of Armenia that is attempting to preserve the status quo in the region. This conflict must be solved peacefully,â€ he said.

â€œSometimes on the line of contact the distance between the parties reach 60 meters, this causes concern about security. I understand that it is not easy to hold negotiations during election. Armenia is on the threshold of elections. It will not be easy, but we are ready to use all opportunities in order not to delay the peace talks and signing of agreement,â€ he said.

Minister said Azerbaijan supports confidence-building measures between the parties.
â€œWe are guided by simple logic â€“ it is unproductive to build wall between the parties. The international community supports this logic,â€ he said.

Elmar Mammadyarov expressed his gratitude to the Islamic states for supporting Azerbaijan in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.