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Azerbaijani Foreign Minister: I think the peoples are prepared for peace

05 June 2007 13:23 (UTC +04:00)

Mr.Mammadyarov said that there remain several serious issues that have not been agreed during the negotiations.
â€œWe will debate on these issues and try to agree on these issues for the Presidentsâ€™ meeting in St.Petersburg,â€ he said.
He also said that the mediatorsâ€™ latest visit also aimed to prepare for the Presidentsâ€™ [Azerbaijani and Armenian] meeting in St.Petersburg.
The Foreign Minster replying to the question on what issues will be debated at the Presidentsâ€™ meeting, said that it depends on the Presidents.
â€œIf agreement is not achieved on any of the principles, all the principles will be considered open. There is a difference of opinion between Azerbaijan and Armenia on several principles,â€ he said.
Azerbaijani Minister touching on the issue regarding the status of Nagorno Karabakh stated that Armenian forces should withdraw from all Azerbaijani territories, including Nagorno Karabakh, peacekeepers should be deployed in the area, internally displaced persons should be brought back to their lands, infrastructure should be restored, and only after that the status of Nagorno Karabakh should be considered. The Minister said that the determination of the status is the theme of negotiations.
â€œFirst of all, referendum on the status of Nagorno Karabakh should be held in the whole country according to Azerbaijani Constitution. Therefore, holding referendum in Nagorno Karabakh only is unacceptable. Azerbaijani Constitution has to be amended to conduct a referendum only in Nagorno Karabakh for status and it should also be solved through referendum,â€ the Minister said.
Azerbaijani FM speaking about the talks held with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spainâ€™s Foreign Minister Miguel Anhel Moratinos touched on Mr.Moratinosâ€™s statement which said the Presidentsâ€™ upcoming meeting may turn out indecisive.
â€œHowever, I believe that every meeting of the Presidents is a step forward,â€ Azerbaijani FM said.
The Minister also stated that the Foreign Ministers [Azerbaijan and Armenia] will meet after the meeting of the Presidents.
â€œThe main thing is to achieve an agreement and liberate our lands. I think that the peoples are already prepared for peace. Armenian leaders have realized that such situation have no future. Political will is needed,â€ he underscored. /APA/