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Elmar Mammadyarov: Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not a topic
for discussion
Thursday, May 8, 16:55
The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not a topic for discussion
and withdrawal of Armenian forces from the "occupied territories" was
the main condition for settlement of the conflict, Azerbaijan's
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at today's press-conference
when commenting on the six principles offered by the American co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick, as Azerbaijani mass media
reported.
He also added that "these 6 principles have been previously
announced.He said that the Azerbaijani side supports the development
of a peace agreement: "The status quo is unacceptable. The status quo
is unacceptable for the Armenians as well, the country is not
developing and it faces demographic challenges. We call on the
Armenian side to solve this issue."
On 8 May The U.S. Co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick,
made a speech at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, and unveiled
proposals from international mediators to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. He called on the parties to take decisive steps and actions
to achieve peace. According to him proposals for settlement are at
the negotiating table, and the parties should be guided by them.
At the heart of a deal are the UN Charter and relevant documents and
the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act. In particular, we focus
on those principles and commitments that pertain to 4 the non-use or
threat of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights and
self-determination of peoples.
Building on that foundation, there are six elements that will have to
be part of any peace agreement if it is to endure. While the
sequencing and details of these elements remains the subject of
negotiations, they must be seen as an integrated whole. Any attempt to
select some elements over others will make it impossible to achieve a
balanced solution.
In no particular order, these elements are:
First, in light of Nagorno-Karabakh's complex history, the sides
should commit to determining its final legal status through a mutually
agreed and legally binding expression of will in the future. This is
not optional. Interim status will be temporary.
Second, the area within the boundaries of the former Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region that is not controlled by Baku should be granted an
interim status that, at a minimum, provides guarantees for security
and self-governance.
Third, the occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh should be
returned to Azerbaijani control. There can be no settlement without
respect for Azerbaijan's sovereignty, and the recognition that its
sovereignty over these territories must be restored.
Fourth , there should be a corridor linking Armenia to
Nagorno-Karabakh. It must be wide enough to provide secure passage,
but it cannot encompass the whole of Lachin district.
Fifth, an enduring settlement will have to recognize the right of all
IDPs and refugees to return to their former places of residence.
Sixth and finally, a settlement must include international security
guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation.
We intend to continue working through the Minsk Group as the primary
channel for resolving this conflict, Warlick said.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=6D238780-D6B0-11E3-81C10EB7C0D21663
From: Baghdasarian
for discussion
Thursday, May 8, 16:55
The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not a topic for discussion
and withdrawal of Armenian forces from the "occupied territories" was
the main condition for settlement of the conflict, Azerbaijan's
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at today's press-conference
when commenting on the six principles offered by the American co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick, as Azerbaijani mass media
reported.
He also added that "these 6 principles have been previously
announced.He said that the Azerbaijani side supports the development
of a peace agreement: "The status quo is unacceptable. The status quo
is unacceptable for the Armenians as well, the country is not
developing and it faces demographic challenges. We call on the
Armenian side to solve this issue."
On 8 May The U.S. Co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick,
made a speech at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, and unveiled
proposals from international mediators to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. He called on the parties to take decisive steps and actions
to achieve peace. According to him proposals for settlement are at
the negotiating table, and the parties should be guided by them.
At the heart of a deal are the UN Charter and relevant documents and
the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act. In particular, we focus
on those principles and commitments that pertain to 4 the non-use or
threat of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights and
self-determination of peoples.
Building on that foundation, there are six elements that will have to
be part of any peace agreement if it is to endure. While the
sequencing and details of these elements remains the subject of
negotiations, they must be seen as an integrated whole. Any attempt to
select some elements over others will make it impossible to achieve a
balanced solution.
In no particular order, these elements are:
First, in light of Nagorno-Karabakh's complex history, the sides
should commit to determining its final legal status through a mutually
agreed and legally binding expression of will in the future. This is
not optional. Interim status will be temporary.
Second, the area within the boundaries of the former Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region that is not controlled by Baku should be granted an
interim status that, at a minimum, provides guarantees for security
and self-governance.
Third, the occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh should be
returned to Azerbaijani control. There can be no settlement without
respect for Azerbaijan's sovereignty, and the recognition that its
sovereignty over these territories must be restored.
Fourth , there should be a corridor linking Armenia to
Nagorno-Karabakh. It must be wide enough to provide secure passage,
but it cannot encompass the whole of Lachin district.
Fifth, an enduring settlement will have to recognize the right of all
IDPs and refugees to return to their former places of residence.
Sixth and finally, a settlement must include international security
guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation.
We intend to continue working through the Minsk Group as the primary
channel for resolving this conflict, Warlick said.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=6D238780-D6B0-11E3-81C10EB7C0D21663
From: Baghdasarian