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BAKU: EU envoy urges caution at Karabakh talks with Azeri leader

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  • BAKU: EU envoy urges caution at Karabakh talks with Azeri leader

    EU envoy urges caution at Karabakh talks with Azeri leader

    Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
    22 Mar 04


    [Presenter] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the special
    representative of the EU for the South Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie,
    discussed the Karabakh conflict today. The head of state said that
    international organizations, which have already started to acknowledge
    Armenia's occupying nature, should take serious steps against it.

    Heikki Talvitie said that he would not be passive, but at the same
    time would be cautious on the issue.

    [Correspondent] President Heydar Aliyev, who received the special
    representative of the EU for the South Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie,
    recalled their previous meetings and said that the EU and Baku are
    developing cooperation. Integration into European structures is our
    strategic choice and we will remain faithful to this policy, end of
    quote.

    The president hailed the EU for its interest in the problem of
    Nagornyy Karabakh. He explained the protracted conflict by Armenia's
    destructive position.

    [Aliyev] Unfortunately, the Armenian armed forces do not want to
    withdraw from the occupied territory and the resolution of the issue
    is under threat.

    [Correspondent] The head of state said that the international norms of
    settling conflicts coincide with Baku's position on the issue. The
    president described as inadmissible Armenia's unwillingness to give up
    its occupying policy. He called on the international community to be
    more active following Yerevan's official confession in Bratislava
    [international conference].

    [Aliyev] One country has occupied the territory of another country. It
    itself admitted that it was not planning to withdraw from the
    territory which did not belong to it. Every country should respect
    international organizations. I hope that the international community
    will express its fair position on that and the conflict will be
    resolved.

    [Correspondent] This is the requirement of the time. Under this
    requirement, conflicts between peoples should be resolved in line with
    international laws, end of quote.

    For his part, Heikki Talvitie said that his organization was ready to
    render assistance in resolving the conflict.

    [Talvitie in English with Azeri voice-over] I am ready to do
    everything in my power to resolve the Karabakh conflict. I can assure
    you that I will not be passive. But I will also be careful. I think
    that positive results can be achieved.

    [Correspondent] The guest also talked about the state programme on the
    socio-economic development. He said that the programme is being widely
    discussed in Europe and by major organizations and highly praised the
    reforms.

    Aliyev spoke highly of the role of energy projects in the development
    of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union and stressed
    the importance of dialogue. The fact that the conflict has not yet
    been resolved is an obstacle to stepping up cooperation, end of quote.

    The president expressed the hope that joint measures will yield
    results.

    Farida Agaverdiyeva and Mirtofiq Miralioglu, Son Xabar.
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