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RELATIONS BETWEEN GERMANY AND BREAKAWAY KARABAKH 'OUT OF THE QUESTION'
News.az
Nov 18 2011
Azerbaijan
News.Az reprints from AzerTAj Vugar Seidov's exclusive interview with
German Bundestag deputy Karl-Georg Wellmann of Angela Merkel's CDU.
Mr Wellmann, you are considered to have a deep knowledge of the South
Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. You are also a member of the ruling
Christian Democratic Union. How do you assess the current state of
Azerbaijani-German relations?
German-Azerbaijani relations are very good. We are working closely
not only in the narrow economic and energy sector but we also support
Azerbaijan's interests in further rapprochement with Euro-Atlantic
structures. We are united by common interests and values. Germany
and Azerbaijan are members of the OSCE and the Council of Europe. We
see ourselves as countries with "a common heritage of political
traditions, ideals, freedom and the rule of law". This is reflected
in the preamble to the European Convention on Human Rights. Based on
this, and inspired by it, we are able to engage in an open dialogue
on human rights and guarantees of a law-governed state.
The German government has repeatedly stated that it recognizes the
territorial integrity of our country. The Bundestag, of which you are
a member, passed a resolution on the South Caucasus in 2009. In this
resolution, the principle of the territorial integrity of states and
inviolability of borders without the consent of states to a change are
fixed as principles of international law in the solution of conflicts.
What is your attitude to these principles?
I also worked on this resolution in 2009 and fully support it. The
Bundestag demands of all parties the unconditional execution of the
resolutions of the United Nations, Council of Europe and OSCE on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In its resolution the Bundestag urges the German government to build
its policy in line with these principles. Is the federal government
doing anything to implement this resolution?
The policy of the federal government complies with this resolution. We
support all efforts aimed at the peaceful solution of conflicts in
the region, as well as in all three countries of the South Caucasus.
How would you describe the policy of the German government on the
South Caucasus conflicts, and specifically the Karabakh conflict?
We work for peace and stability in the South Caucasus. The Minsk
Group represents an appropriate format for this. We support its work,
therefore, we believe there is no sense in changing the format of
negotiations at the current stage. We support the demand for the
return of illegally occupied lands.
The Armenian press recently reported that the head of the separatist
regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, Bako Sahakyan, "met" deputies and experts
of the Bundestag during his visit to Germany and "discussed bilateral
issues" with them. According to our information, you also met him. In
what capacity and with what status was he received by you? What was
your reason for the meeting?
The Armenian reports are false! There have been meetings with neither
a "deputies' group" nor "experts". No "bilateral relations" were
discussed. The members of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee
sometimes meet the representatives of entities that are not recognized
internationally. The aim of these meetings is to present our position
and expectations to the opposite side and inform them about steps to
be taken to solve conflicts. The aforementioned meeting was held at
the initiative and with the presence of the Armenian ambassador. This
meeting can be described as a brief informative talk. I said openly
that bilateral relations with the Federal Republic of Germany and
the recognition of any status are out of the question.
The work of the OSCE Minsk Group on a peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict has not produced the desired effect yet. Twenty
per cent of Azerbaijani lands remain under occupation and the rights
of people deported from these lands are still violated. What steps
do you think should be taken to overcome this state and achieve the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict in the foreseeable future?
It was openly stated at the meeting that the return of the occupied
lands of Azerbaijan is a provision for the peaceful resolution of the
conflict. We view the expulsion of people and annexation of occupied
lands as illegal and do not accept it. The future can be based only
on non-aggression and the defence of civilians. We, in line with the
Minsk Group proposals, consider it expedient to step up the efforts
of the international community.
Thank you for the interview. And, finally, in what spheres should
we step up our work in order to further develop German-Azerbaijani
relations?
Germany and Azerbaijan have huge potential for cooperation in
modernization. Our technologically progressive enterprises can play
an appropriate role in the development of a strong Azerbaijani economy.
They are ready for this. The same goes for cooperation in energy and
other spheres, for example, cooperation in public health. I have links
to some German enterprises and I encourage them to be more engaged
in Azerbaijan. We must address criticism too, since it creates trust
between parties and overcomes misunderstandings. I do believe that
we will be able to do even more for the rapid development of your
country in cooperation with the very active Azerbaijani embassy in
Germany and other organizations.
From: Baghdasarian
News.az
Nov 18 2011
Azerbaijan
News.Az reprints from AzerTAj Vugar Seidov's exclusive interview with
German Bundestag deputy Karl-Georg Wellmann of Angela Merkel's CDU.
Mr Wellmann, you are considered to have a deep knowledge of the South
Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. You are also a member of the ruling
Christian Democratic Union. How do you assess the current state of
Azerbaijani-German relations?
German-Azerbaijani relations are very good. We are working closely
not only in the narrow economic and energy sector but we also support
Azerbaijan's interests in further rapprochement with Euro-Atlantic
structures. We are united by common interests and values. Germany
and Azerbaijan are members of the OSCE and the Council of Europe. We
see ourselves as countries with "a common heritage of political
traditions, ideals, freedom and the rule of law". This is reflected
in the preamble to the European Convention on Human Rights. Based on
this, and inspired by it, we are able to engage in an open dialogue
on human rights and guarantees of a law-governed state.
The German government has repeatedly stated that it recognizes the
territorial integrity of our country. The Bundestag, of which you are
a member, passed a resolution on the South Caucasus in 2009. In this
resolution, the principle of the territorial integrity of states and
inviolability of borders without the consent of states to a change are
fixed as principles of international law in the solution of conflicts.
What is your attitude to these principles?
I also worked on this resolution in 2009 and fully support it. The
Bundestag demands of all parties the unconditional execution of the
resolutions of the United Nations, Council of Europe and OSCE on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In its resolution the Bundestag urges the German government to build
its policy in line with these principles. Is the federal government
doing anything to implement this resolution?
The policy of the federal government complies with this resolution. We
support all efforts aimed at the peaceful solution of conflicts in
the region, as well as in all three countries of the South Caucasus.
How would you describe the policy of the German government on the
South Caucasus conflicts, and specifically the Karabakh conflict?
We work for peace and stability in the South Caucasus. The Minsk
Group represents an appropriate format for this. We support its work,
therefore, we believe there is no sense in changing the format of
negotiations at the current stage. We support the demand for the
return of illegally occupied lands.
The Armenian press recently reported that the head of the separatist
regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, Bako Sahakyan, "met" deputies and experts
of the Bundestag during his visit to Germany and "discussed bilateral
issues" with them. According to our information, you also met him. In
what capacity and with what status was he received by you? What was
your reason for the meeting?
The Armenian reports are false! There have been meetings with neither
a "deputies' group" nor "experts". No "bilateral relations" were
discussed. The members of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee
sometimes meet the representatives of entities that are not recognized
internationally. The aim of these meetings is to present our position
and expectations to the opposite side and inform them about steps to
be taken to solve conflicts. The aforementioned meeting was held at
the initiative and with the presence of the Armenian ambassador. This
meeting can be described as a brief informative talk. I said openly
that bilateral relations with the Federal Republic of Germany and
the recognition of any status are out of the question.
The work of the OSCE Minsk Group on a peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict has not produced the desired effect yet. Twenty
per cent of Azerbaijani lands remain under occupation and the rights
of people deported from these lands are still violated. What steps
do you think should be taken to overcome this state and achieve the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict in the foreseeable future?
It was openly stated at the meeting that the return of the occupied
lands of Azerbaijan is a provision for the peaceful resolution of the
conflict. We view the expulsion of people and annexation of occupied
lands as illegal and do not accept it. The future can be based only
on non-aggression and the defence of civilians. We, in line with the
Minsk Group proposals, consider it expedient to step up the efforts
of the international community.
Thank you for the interview. And, finally, in what spheres should
we step up our work in order to further develop German-Azerbaijani
relations?
Germany and Azerbaijan have huge potential for cooperation in
modernization. Our technologically progressive enterprises can play
an appropriate role in the development of a strong Azerbaijani economy.
They are ready for this. The same goes for cooperation in energy and
other spheres, for example, cooperation in public health. I have links
to some German enterprises and I encourage them to be more engaged
in Azerbaijan. We must address criticism too, since it creates trust
between parties and overcomes misunderstandings. I do believe that
we will be able to do even more for the rapid development of your
country in cooperation with the very active Azerbaijani embassy in
Germany and other organizations.
From: Baghdasarian