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ANKARA: Expectations High From DA Platform For Reconciliation

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  • ANKARA: Expectations High From DA Platform For Reconciliation

    EXPECTATIONS HIGH FROM DA PLATFORM FOR RECONCILIATION

    Today's Zaman
    Nov 17 2008
    Turkey

    An Azerbaijani deputy has expressed hope that the Dialogue Eurasia
    (DA) Platform may manage to smooth out relations between Azerbaijan
    and Armenia, which have been at odds for many years over the
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

    "The DA Platform has significant influence on Caucasian nations. I
    believe this influence may be used to give an end to the 15-year-old
    grief in the region," stated Professor Nizami Caferov, adding that
    the platform may help find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
    issue over which Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at odds for
    years. Nagorno-Karabakh's mostly ethnic Armenian population broke
    away from Azerbaijan in a war in the early 1990s as the Soviet Union
    collapsed. It now runs its own affairs, with support from Armenia.

    "As an Azerbaijani who is closely interested in the Nagorno-Karabakh
    conflict, I wish Armenian intellectuals had participated in today's
    conference. I wish they had expressed their opinions to contribute to
    the peace process [between Azerbaijan and Armenia]. It is possible
    to search for solutions to such issues as Nagorno-Karabakh in such
    platforms," Caferov said. His remarks came during a conference titled
    "Tolerance and Discrimination in Education," held last Friday in the
    southern city of Antalya by the DA Platform.

    "Conflicts do not provide benefits to any nation. Humanity wants
    peace. Turkish President Abdullah Gul recently held talks with Armenian
    officials. This was a step taken for regional peace," Caferov went
    on to say. He also stated that the Azerbaijanis were ready for the
    solution of problems with Armenia and added: "The Azerbaijani and
    Armenian heads of state had a meeting in Moscow. This is a very
    serious development."

    Journalists and Writers Association (GYV) President Harun Tokak
    stressed he hopes the DA Platform creates an atmosphere of peace
    among the nations. "We find work by the DA Platform in the field of
    tolerance and dialogue to be sincere. I hope this platform will take
    concrete steps in these fields. I believe it will become Eurasia's
    conscience," he stated.
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