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BAKU: Araz Azimov On The Results Of Consultations In Washington

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  • BAKU: Araz Azimov On The Results Of Consultations In Washington

    ARAZ AZIMOV ON THE RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON
    Turan

    Baku Today, Azerbaijan
    April 2 2006

    On March 30, the working visit of Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of
    Foreign Affairs, Araz Azimov, to Canada and the USA came to an end.

    Besides the deputy minister of foreign affairs, the deputy minister
    of national security Fuad Iskenderov, the deputy chief of the State
    Frontier Service Farhad Tagizade and the commander-in-chief of the
    Navy Shahin Sultanov also participated in the visit.

    A dialogue on security took place on March 29 in the State
    Department. Topics on the agenda included cooperation in the war
    against global terror, prevention of the proliferation of weapons
    of mass destruction, the strengthening of border security and
    American-Azerbaijan cooperation in international organizations.

    Araz Azimov gave an interview to the Washington-based correspondent
    of AzerTAc about results of his visit to Northern America.

    - You are the first official representative of Azerbaijan to visit
    Ottawa. How interested is this country in Azerbaijan? What can you
    say about the discussions that were held there?

    The position of Canada in the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
    conflict usually is not shown distinctly enough. As a member of the
    OSCE, this country till now has satisfied with only superficial moral
    and political support. But gradually it is possible for Canada to more
    fully involve itself in this matter. In our region, there is a number
    of questions connected with Canada causing our concern: for example,
    the participation of some Canadian companies in a number of illegal
    projects in Turkmenistan and the participation of a Canadian company
    in the development of gold mines in the occupied Kalbajar region of
    Azerbaijan. We have brought these matters to the attention of the
    government of Canada. But the explanations received by us have shown
    that the government of Canada do not connect itself with the given
    companies and tries not to interfere in these issues.

    - The American-Azerbaijan dialogue on security, of which you are a
    co-chairman, is a framing mechanism. What concrete projects are you
    returning to Baku with after the present stage of talks?

    - The dialogue on security - started in 1996 - has opened opportunities
    for studying questions in the field of security between the USA
    and Azerbaijan. Dialogues are necessary to strengthen this even
    more. As Azerbaijan's influence and opportunities increase, its
    security threats will also increase. Azerbaijan should be ready for
    this. The significant part of cooperation between Azerbaijan and
    the USA concerns the military-political sphere, area of security,
    and practical work in the said spheres. Though support rendered by
    America to Azerbaijan in these fields is up to the mark, we have
    more requirements. The attitude of America testifies that it is ready
    for closer cooperation. As a whole, dialogue passes positively. The
    issues on the agenda also have remained unchanged: Azerbaijan'
    security at the national and regional levels, relations within NATO,
    the increase of the OSCE's role in ongoing processes, settlement of
    regional conflicts, the relations among Caspian coastal states and
    the military-political situation in the Caspian basin. The complex
    web of risks and threats in the Caspian region is complicated enough.

    Elements of war, terrorism, and the environment are peculiar to it.

    In this sense, the USA will closely cooperate with Azerbaijan. We
    have achieved some agreements. Groups of experts will arrive in Baku.

    They will study ways to involve Azerbaijan in the initiative on
    power and sea safety, and also the initiative put forward by the "G8"
    against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

    - Whether touch on the issues regarding Iran?

    - While considering the regional situation this matter was discussed.

    We have informed the United States that 130 kilometers of the said
    border is under occupation. Threats originating from here should
    be by all means considered. Also, conditions in the sector of the
    Caspian adjacent with Iran were discussed. Some steps taken by Iran
    in this area concern Azerbaijan. We have repeatedly declared that
    there should be peace over the borders of neighboring countries; it
    is necessary to respect these borders and observe them. We also noted
    that we have various connections and trade relations with Iran, as it
    is a neighboring country. Many of our compatriots live in Iran. In
    this sense, Azerbaijan watches the development of situation in Iran
    with great interest and concern.

    The USA is directly involved in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. They
    support a quick settlement of the conflict and are ready to make
    active efforts in this direction. Many expressions are being used;
    nevertheless, the situation remains the same. It is a question
    of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the conflict over the
    Azerbaijani land and its settlement. Azerbaijan supports Armenian and
    Azerbaijan communities living jointly in Nagorno Karabakh peacefully,
    and granting them a corresponding guarantee. I am convinced, that at
    any stage Azerbaijan will achieve this as we have no other way.

    America should understand, and Armenia should remember, that the
    Azerbaijan state not only will disagree with the partition of the
    lands, but also will prevent it. It should not be perceived as
    a toughening of our position. It is the principle position which
    Azerbaijan has held from the very beginning, from first day of the
    conflict. We will stick to this position. We are ready to show
    corresponding flexibility in the settlement of conflict. I say
    this, addressing even my compatriots living in Nagorno Karabakh,
    the Armenian community should be provided by self-government in
    any frameworks. According to the Armenians, the political forces of
    Azerbaijan support proscription of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh
    from this region. This is not so. We never objected to Armenians
    residing in Nagorno Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan. On the
    contrary, we believe that these people should possess corresponding
    socio-political freedom, which it is necessary to provide them with.

    This should not be regarded as a weakness on the part of the
    Azerbaijani side. Azerbaijan, as a strong, modern and democratic
    state, is ready to provide a normal life for citizens of any ethnic
    origin. However, from both sides, there are extreme points. It is
    necessary to reject these and come to a common denominator. The
    extreme position of Armenia is based on an arguement that Nagorno
    Karabakh never was and will never be a part of Azerbaijan. It is
    necessary to reject this position. And the Azerbaijan government
    should provide the Armenian population living in Nagorno Karabakh
    with a model of self-government. Being based on European models, this
    model should recognize our territorial integrity and the inviolability
    of borders. It is not necessary to forget that in Nagorno Karabakh,
    alongside with the Armenians also lived Azerbaijanis. The Azerbaijani
    community, by all means, should return to Nagorno Karabakh. We should
    provide both communities with the same models of self- governance
    based on the legislation of Azerbaijan.

    This is Azerbaijan's constructive position. We are ready to pass from
    such a hard line, as non-recognition of the rights of the Armenians,
    to this moderate position, which includes the maintenance of their
    rights. Thus, Armenia and Azerbaijan can come to a common denominator.
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