OFFICIAL NEWS
PRIME-MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MINSK GROUP
Hiving welcomed the guest Ilham Aliyev congratulated him on the appointment to very important position.
He further said: “In Azerbaijan, we cherish the hope for the OSCE Minsk Group and are waiting for good results. We are waiting for the Minsk Group to put forward proposals leading to just resolution of the conflict.
It is not a secret now that Azerbaijan is a country whose territory is occupied. But in XXI century when both Azerbaijan and Armenia are members of such organizations as CIS, Council of Europe, integrate into world structures, continuation of the occupation is inadmissible.
You probably know that our public feels a certain disappointment because the Minsk Group has recently been trying to keep itself away from the practical resolution of the issue: it suggests both parties make a bargain themselves, and only after that to adopt a resolution acceptable for the sides. Of course, the dialogue between the two countries’ Presidents is a positive factor, we are greeting that and hope for continuation of the bilateral meetings. However, it will be very difficult to solve the problem without effective involvement of the Minsk Group and its co-chairs. Armenian position lies in complete neglect of the norms of international law, in striving to prove that reality is above the law; our stance, however is based on total observation of the norms of international law including restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We will not step aside from these principles, and our position is the conflict can be settled on the base of these principles only. Another factor we are concerned with is that Armenia tries to give the wrong impression that it has some advantage. If one looks at the development of the countries since cease-fire, Azerbaijan has achieved much progress in economics and politics. Our country is implementing together with its partners the large international regional projects; Azerbaijan has great prospects for further development. Armenia, meanwhile, has not achieved visible economic progress and has found itself away from the regional projects. Of course, our territories are occupied, we have over one million refugees; this is a huge problem both from moral and economic point of view. But we have been solving it; we are trying to improve social conditions of those who have become refugee as a result of the Armenian aggression. That is why the conflict’s resolution is very important for both Azerbaijan and Armenia. So, both sides must take efforts for its peaceful resolution. We stand for peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Our President stressed that more than once, and this policy is dominating and it corresponds with the public’s opinion. Nevertheless, as you realize, we can not accept the situation when Azerbaijani territories are under occupation. So, I think your role, the Russia’s one in this process is very important. We are very pleased with warm relationship established between our countries for the last years, very friendly relations have been established between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Heydar Aliyev. We highly appreciate it. For the last three years, our countries have achieved great successes in many spheres including political and economic ones. So, this factor will probably play an important role for Russia’s more active involvement in the process of the conflict’s resolution. I want to wish you success. I realize that the mission is not easy. Want to wish you and us to come to resolution in the process of settlement.”
Having thanked Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev for the warm reception and wishes, Yuri Merzyakov congratulated him on the appointment to the position of Prime-Minster and wished President Heydar Aliyev speedy recovery.
Then, he noted his visit is of purely familiarization character, and expressed hope it would allow to learn much about the problem. Yuri Merzyakov said: “I have met today with the Chairman of Parliament, Deputy Foreign Minister, I know I will meet with Mironov in Moscow, with my partners, as well as with your neighbors, chairman of the Armenian Parliament. I will help to contribute a bit to the problem’s resolution. In a few days, I will obviously have meetings in Armenia too. After that, I would like to report to my colleagues, more experienced OSCE co-chairs on my meetings here. I will try for them to receive unbiased information. I think our next visit will be useful after presidential elections in your country. My colleagues told me they had some new ideas I will be acquainted with, I think I, during my meeting with them in Vienna on September 15. Then, we will have something to offer to both parties. On September 30, we will report to the acting OSCE Chairman.”
Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev thanked the Russian Co-Chair for detailed information, congratulation and wishes for health addressing to the President. He said: “now his health situation is good, the medical treatment gives very good results, recovery process is going well. Taking the chance, I would like to express my gratitude to President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for giving special plane for President of Azerbaijan to leave for the United States. This fact testifies that as a result of our policy, our relations with friends, partners – Russia is our strategic partner – we have achieved very good neighboring relationship.”
Turning back to the conflict, Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev stressed once again that no economic, cultural or any other informal contacts with Armenia is possible until occupied Azerbaijani land are released.
The reception was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov.
