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Azeri official says peaceful coexistence in Karabakh on agenda of talks
ANS TV, Baku
20 Jun 05
[Presenter in studio] Baku has disclosed some of the aspects agreed at
talks between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his
Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan.
The Azerbaijani president's special representative at the Nagornyy
Karabakh negotiations and deputy foreign minister, Araz Azimov, has
told a news conference on the results of the ministers' meeting that
in an effort to ensure a peaceful coexistence of the Azerbaijani
community of Nagornyy Karabakh with the Armenian one, the OSCE and UN
international forces would be stationed on the territory. The deputy
foreign minister also revealed the date of the next meeting between
the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers.
[Correspondent over video of Araz Azimov's news conference] The
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vardan Oskanyan, have agreed several issues in their meeting in
Paris. Araz Azimov said the sides had exchanged views on the return of
occupied territories and subsequently on the coexistence of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities on these territories. But for
this to happen, the sides also need to agree a local self-government
mechanism.
[Azimov shown speaking] At the initial stage, such a mechanism could
facilitate the coexistence of representatives of both sides on the
same territory and boost trust and even cooperation between them.
[Correspondent] In addition to that, they also discussed the
restoration of roads and communication lines in the occupied
territories.
[Azimov] The sides discussed the suggestion for the reconstruction of
a highway from Agdam and going through the towns of Xankandi
[Stepanakert], Susa [Shusha] and Lacin [Lachin], then entering the
territory of Armenia, then, if I am not mistaken, going through the
towns of Goris and Sisyan, entering the Naxcivani [autonomous]
republic, and for the use of this road subsequently by both sides.
[Correspondent] Azimov said that the Azerbaijani side was looking
forward to having this suggestion accepted and noted that the
reconstruction of the road would not require significant funds because
only parts of it need to be reconstructed.
Azimov added that once the agreement on that is reached, a donor
conference would be held. Appeals will be made to the UN, European
Union and donor countries to secure funding to improve the
infrastructure and clear the territories of mines. International
forces will be safeguarding public order at the stage of the
reconstruction and try to ensure a peaceful coexistence of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities in Nagornyy Karabakh. Also, an
inspection commission will be set up to monitor the situation in
Nagornyy Karabakh.
[Azimov] The section of the road going through Armenia will be
monitored from there, while the section going through Azerbaijan will
be monitored from here. At the same time, it is envisaged that at the
initial stage it will be monitored by international forces and this in
itself will serve as a mechanism of control.
[Correspondent] Azimov added that the foreign ministers would have
several other meetings before a meeting between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents in Kazan on 26 August. Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group are expected to start a visit to the region on 11 July. The
co-chairs are also expected to come up with new suggestions as to how
to resolve the conflict.
Afat Telmanqizi, Ramin Yaqubov, ANS.
ANS TV, Baku
20 Jun 05
[Presenter in studio] Baku has disclosed some of the aspects agreed at
talks between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his
Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan.
The Azerbaijani president's special representative at the Nagornyy
Karabakh negotiations and deputy foreign minister, Araz Azimov, has
told a news conference on the results of the ministers' meeting that
in an effort to ensure a peaceful coexistence of the Azerbaijani
community of Nagornyy Karabakh with the Armenian one, the OSCE and UN
international forces would be stationed on the territory. The deputy
foreign minister also revealed the date of the next meeting between
the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers.
[Correspondent over video of Araz Azimov's news conference] The
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vardan Oskanyan, have agreed several issues in their meeting in
Paris. Araz Azimov said the sides had exchanged views on the return of
occupied territories and subsequently on the coexistence of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities on these territories. But for
this to happen, the sides also need to agree a local self-government
mechanism.
[Azimov shown speaking] At the initial stage, such a mechanism could
facilitate the coexistence of representatives of both sides on the
same territory and boost trust and even cooperation between them.
[Correspondent] In addition to that, they also discussed the
restoration of roads and communication lines in the occupied
territories.
[Azimov] The sides discussed the suggestion for the reconstruction of
a highway from Agdam and going through the towns of Xankandi
[Stepanakert], Susa [Shusha] and Lacin [Lachin], then entering the
territory of Armenia, then, if I am not mistaken, going through the
towns of Goris and Sisyan, entering the Naxcivani [autonomous]
republic, and for the use of this road subsequently by both sides.
[Correspondent] Azimov said that the Azerbaijani side was looking
forward to having this suggestion accepted and noted that the
reconstruction of the road would not require significant funds because
only parts of it need to be reconstructed.
Azimov added that once the agreement on that is reached, a donor
conference would be held. Appeals will be made to the UN, European
Union and donor countries to secure funding to improve the
infrastructure and clear the territories of mines. International
forces will be safeguarding public order at the stage of the
reconstruction and try to ensure a peaceful coexistence of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities in Nagornyy Karabakh. Also, an
inspection commission will be set up to monitor the situation in
Nagornyy Karabakh.
[Azimov] The section of the road going through Armenia will be
monitored from there, while the section going through Azerbaijan will
be monitored from here. At the same time, it is envisaged that at the
initial stage it will be monitored by international forces and this in
itself will serve as a mechanism of control.
[Correspondent] Azimov added that the foreign ministers would have
several other meetings before a meeting between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents in Kazan on 26 August. Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group are expected to start a visit to the region on 11 July. The
co-chairs are also expected to come up with new suggestions as to how
to resolve the conflict.
Afat Telmanqizi, Ramin Yaqubov, ANS.