President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received at the Presidential Palace EU’s spokesman for South Caucasus, member of the European Union’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defense Policy Per Gharton.

Sincerely welcoming the guest, head of Azerbaijan state Ilham Aliyev said:

- We pay great attention to the process of Azerbaijan’s integration into the European structures. Azerbaijan also supports the EU-initiated “Wider Europe” program. European Union and Azerbaijan have established close business relations, and we are successfully cooperating in many spheres.

The most important issue for the South Caucasus region today is to ensure peace and security here. We look forward that the European Union and European Parliament will play an active role in this process. Of course, the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Garabakh poses great danger to the region. This conflict has resulted in occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands and over one million refugees and IDPs.

The OSCE Minsk group has been engaged in this issue for many years, but unfortunately failed to rich positive results. I believe this conflict can be solved first of all by putting an end to the policy of double standards and unconditional liberation of the occupied lands. It is very satisfactory that European structures are working in this direction, and Council of Europe’s recognition of Armenia as an aggressor is clear evidence of this.

I look forward that other European structures will also join this initiative and demonstrate their stance unambiguously towards the issue. You have already been to the region. And today, you have had a number of meetings in Azerbaijan. I am sure these meetings have given a clear idea of Azerbaijan to You, and your activity aimed at ensuring peace and security in the region will be successful.

Expressing his gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for sincere reception, Per Gharton said:

“ Mr. President You are quite right saying that we are well aware of the situation in the region. It is my second visit to the region; during the first one, I had intensive meetings and opinions exchange with your father. The European Union is now experiencing the really special times and is about to widen. The organization is going to establish active relations with non-member states. I have to note with regret that the European Commission has not included your country into the Wider Europe. However, the European Parliament, which I represent, has done so, and I hope for wide cooperation with Azerbaijan in the future.

As you know one of the most important directions of our cooperation is resolution of the regional conflicts. While meetings with your father, we use to discuss these issues, and he had very constructive ideas on the matter. Before today’s meeting, I had the one with Armenian President. And I would like to ask my first question: how do you see the nearest future of the conflict, and do you intend to meet with Armenian President?

Ilham Aliyev: There are no changes in Azerbaijan’s related policy, and this one will be continued. We try to put an end to this conflict by peace way. And at the same time however, everyone must know that such a situation cannot go on for long. Unless the conflict is resolved on the base of the international legal norms, we will use every means to liberate our lands. Our territorial integrity must be restored. This is our fair demand. Nagorno Garabakh is the ancient land of Azerbaijan; the Armenians were moved there about 160-170 years ago in guest capacity. This is the historical part of the problem, and it is very important for its resolution. At the same time, if today we demand observation of the international norms from all states, then Armenia also must follow these norms and release occupied Azerbaijani lands.

I would declare my position more than once, and want to state once again that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be restored, and refugees and IDPs must return to their native lands. Despite the activity of OSCE Minsk group has not yet brought positive results, I think they should continue their mediator functions. If it is necessary, Azerbaijan President will join the negotiations in the future.