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AZERBAIJAN'S INDEPENDENCE SERVES AS PEACEMAKER BETWEEN COUNTRIES - MINISTER
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
July 2 2013
Azerbaijan is an ancient civilization, whose current independence
serves as a bridge-builder and peacemaker between different countries
and cultures, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in
his article published on Hill.com website.
"Azerbaijan is a Muslim country. It enjoys close ties with Israel
and Muslim states. It is an important strategic partner of the United
States," the article reads.
"Azerbaijan's unique and essential role in the world is based on
five pillars: our tradition of tolerance; our strategic location;
our economic performance; our understanding of regional security;
and our quest for peace in our neighborhood and around the world.
"Azerbaijan is known for its tradition of religious tolerance and
cultural diversity - qualities unfortunately in short supply in today's
world. Secular yet majority Muslim society, Azerbaijan has enjoyed
centuries of peaceful coexistence between the three great monotheistic
faiths: İslam, Christianity and Judaism," Mammadyarov said.
"Indeed, our 35,000-strong Jewish community has been living in
Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without persecution, with full dignity and
respect - among the few places on Earth where people may not know
what anti-Semitism is. With the close bonds between our peoples,
we in Azerbaijan strongly believe in democracy building, protection
of human rights and the rule of law," the article reads.
Mammadyarov also noted that Azerbaijan has a pivotal position on the
crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
"Azerbaijan is uniquely situated to serve as a regional transportation
hub and to supply Europe's energy needs.
"Azerbaijan is increasing its contribution to European energy
security. Bringing gas from Azerbaijan will further diversify energy
supplies for our European allies," the article reads.
Mammadyarov said that the election of Azerbaijan as a non-permanent
member of the United Nations Security Council testifies to the
international community's recognition of the country's growing role
in maintaining peace and security.
"Azerbaijan contributes to the consideration of issues central
to international peace and stability, including counterterrorism,
reduction of human and drug trafficking, sustainable development,
multicultural understanding, and assistance to the conflict resolution
process in the Middle East and elsewhere.
"With more than 40 percent of supplies bound to Afghanistan crossing
through our country, Azerbaijan stands shoulder to shoulder with the
US and NATO," the minister's article reads.
"As a member of European multilateral institutions, such as the
Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, uniting
56 Muslim countries around the world, Azerbaijan serves as a crucial
link for partners such as the US, Israel and other Muslim nations,"
the article said.
Touching the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict he said
that Azerbaijan seeks to avert further suffering brought by the
ongoing conflict with Armenia.
"The resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
is essential, since more stable and prosperous Azerbaijan and Armenia
promise a more stable and prosperous Caucasus.
"For Azerbaijan and other emerging countries, what really guarantees
our security is a culture of peace and tolerance within our societies,"
the article said.
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 when Armenia
made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces
have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the
Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. -
are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
July 2 2013
Azerbaijan is an ancient civilization, whose current independence
serves as a bridge-builder and peacemaker between different countries
and cultures, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in
his article published on Hill.com website.
"Azerbaijan is a Muslim country. It enjoys close ties with Israel
and Muslim states. It is an important strategic partner of the United
States," the article reads.
"Azerbaijan's unique and essential role in the world is based on
five pillars: our tradition of tolerance; our strategic location;
our economic performance; our understanding of regional security;
and our quest for peace in our neighborhood and around the world.
"Azerbaijan is known for its tradition of religious tolerance and
cultural diversity - qualities unfortunately in short supply in today's
world. Secular yet majority Muslim society, Azerbaijan has enjoyed
centuries of peaceful coexistence between the three great monotheistic
faiths: İslam, Christianity and Judaism," Mammadyarov said.
"Indeed, our 35,000-strong Jewish community has been living in
Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without persecution, with full dignity and
respect - among the few places on Earth where people may not know
what anti-Semitism is. With the close bonds between our peoples,
we in Azerbaijan strongly believe in democracy building, protection
of human rights and the rule of law," the article reads.
Mammadyarov also noted that Azerbaijan has a pivotal position on the
crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
"Azerbaijan is uniquely situated to serve as a regional transportation
hub and to supply Europe's energy needs.
"Azerbaijan is increasing its contribution to European energy
security. Bringing gas from Azerbaijan will further diversify energy
supplies for our European allies," the article reads.
Mammadyarov said that the election of Azerbaijan as a non-permanent
member of the United Nations Security Council testifies to the
international community's recognition of the country's growing role
in maintaining peace and security.
"Azerbaijan contributes to the consideration of issues central
to international peace and stability, including counterterrorism,
reduction of human and drug trafficking, sustainable development,
multicultural understanding, and assistance to the conflict resolution
process in the Middle East and elsewhere.
"With more than 40 percent of supplies bound to Afghanistan crossing
through our country, Azerbaijan stands shoulder to shoulder with the
US and NATO," the minister's article reads.
"As a member of European multilateral institutions, such as the
Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, uniting
56 Muslim countries around the world, Azerbaijan serves as a crucial
link for partners such as the US, Israel and other Muslim nations,"
the article said.
Touching the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict he said
that Azerbaijan seeks to avert further suffering brought by the
ongoing conflict with Armenia.
"The resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
is essential, since more stable and prosperous Azerbaijan and Armenia
promise a more stable and prosperous Caucasus.
"For Azerbaijan and other emerging countries, what really guarantees
our security is a culture of peace and tolerance within our societies,"
the article said.
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 when Armenia
made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces
have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the
Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. -
are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.