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JOHN KERRY: MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR U.S. INTERESTED IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
June 4 2013
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with US
Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit to the United States,
according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the American Jewish Committee
Global Forum, Kerry said that Azerbaijan is a wonderful statement
about the ability of different religions, different creeds to come
together and live together and to find a way forward.
According to him, Azerbaijan has been an important partner in
Afghanistan, in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force,
and equally important with respect to the northern distribution route
and also the southern gas line and other issues that are of great
importance to the U.S.
Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Kerry said, "As a co-chair
of the Minsk Group, we have a serious interest in helping Azerbaijan
and Armenia to be able to find a way forward. The last thing we want
is a return to war and to conflict."
Minister Mammadyarov, for his part, said Azerbaijan attaches great
importance to its relations with the U.S. and expressed confidence that
the successful economic, investment and energy cooperation as well
as the collaboration in the framework of international organizations
will further deepen.
Speaking about the negotiations over the settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov noted that the status quo
must change.
He stressed that first of all, Armenian armed forces must withdraw
from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, in order to achieve
progress in peace talks.
According to him, Azerbaijan believes that together with the U.S. all
the problems, in particular, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, will be solved.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 as a result of Armenia's
territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Unleashing a lengthy war
with its South Caucasus neighbor, Armenia occupied Nagorno-Karabakh
and seven adjacent regions. Peace talks brokered by OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs representing the United States, Russia and France have been
largely fruitless so far.
During his visit to the U.S. the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister also
delivered a speech at the annual global forum of the American Jewish
Committee on June 2.
Attending the opening session of the forum, Mammadyarov spoke about
the expanding relations of Azerbaijan with the United States and
Israel, and praised the contribution of U.S. Jewish organizations to
the development of relations between governments.
Regarding the Azerbaijani-Israeli ties as a close friendship,
Mammadyarov said the cooperation between the two countries has been
based on historic good relations between the two nations, mutual
understanding and on the productive trade and economic relations
achieved in recent years.
Mammadyarov stated that the Jewish community has been living in
Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without being subjected to any restrictions
and has been represented in various fields of society.
Mammadyarov also mentioned his official visit to Israel, noting that
he has held efficient meetings with Israeli President Shimon Peres,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, and said the
regular consultations will continue to discuss the issues of mutual
interest between the two countries.
He also said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the main obstacle to
comprehensive cooperation in the South Caucasus region.
Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan supports a peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the shortest time possible, in accordance
with the principles of international law and the UN Security Council's
four resolutions.
He added that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council,
Azerbaijan is making an effort for the restoration of peace in
different parts of the world, including in the Middle East.
The American Jewish Committee was founded in 1906 and currently has
offices in 26 states of the U.S., as well as in many other countries
of the world.
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
June 4 2013
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with US
Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit to the United States,
according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the American Jewish Committee
Global Forum, Kerry said that Azerbaijan is a wonderful statement
about the ability of different religions, different creeds to come
together and live together and to find a way forward.
According to him, Azerbaijan has been an important partner in
Afghanistan, in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force,
and equally important with respect to the northern distribution route
and also the southern gas line and other issues that are of great
importance to the U.S.
Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Kerry said, "As a co-chair
of the Minsk Group, we have a serious interest in helping Azerbaijan
and Armenia to be able to find a way forward. The last thing we want
is a return to war and to conflict."
Minister Mammadyarov, for his part, said Azerbaijan attaches great
importance to its relations with the U.S. and expressed confidence that
the successful economic, investment and energy cooperation as well
as the collaboration in the framework of international organizations
will further deepen.
Speaking about the negotiations over the settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov noted that the status quo
must change.
He stressed that first of all, Armenian armed forces must withdraw
from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, in order to achieve
progress in peace talks.
According to him, Azerbaijan believes that together with the U.S. all
the problems, in particular, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, will be solved.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 as a result of Armenia's
territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Unleashing a lengthy war
with its South Caucasus neighbor, Armenia occupied Nagorno-Karabakh
and seven adjacent regions. Peace talks brokered by OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs representing the United States, Russia and France have been
largely fruitless so far.
During his visit to the U.S. the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister also
delivered a speech at the annual global forum of the American Jewish
Committee on June 2.
Attending the opening session of the forum, Mammadyarov spoke about
the expanding relations of Azerbaijan with the United States and
Israel, and praised the contribution of U.S. Jewish organizations to
the development of relations between governments.
Regarding the Azerbaijani-Israeli ties as a close friendship,
Mammadyarov said the cooperation between the two countries has been
based on historic good relations between the two nations, mutual
understanding and on the productive trade and economic relations
achieved in recent years.
Mammadyarov stated that the Jewish community has been living in
Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without being subjected to any restrictions
and has been represented in various fields of society.
Mammadyarov also mentioned his official visit to Israel, noting that
he has held efficient meetings with Israeli President Shimon Peres,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, and said the
regular consultations will continue to discuss the issues of mutual
interest between the two countries.
He also said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the main obstacle to
comprehensive cooperation in the South Caucasus region.
Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan supports a peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the shortest time possible, in accordance
with the principles of international law and the UN Security Council's
four resolutions.
He added that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council,
Azerbaijan is making an effort for the restoration of peace in
different parts of the world, including in the Middle East.
The American Jewish Committee was founded in 1906 and currently has
offices in 26 states of the U.S., as well as in many other countries
of the world.