AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV’S VISIT TO UZBEKISTAN
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN COMPLETED HIS VISIT TO UZBEKISTAN
On March 24, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev completed his state visit to Uzbekistan. At the Samarkand airport decorated with state flags of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, the Head of our State was seen off by Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyayev, Head of Samarkand vilayet Rustam Kholmuradov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan Aydin Azimbayev and other officials.
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On the same day in the evening, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev returned to homeland.
At the Baku international airport after Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev was met by Chairman of the Milli Majlis Murtuz Alasgarov, Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh, Chief of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and other officials.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev answered the questions from journalists.
Q: Mr. President, you have paid very successful state visit to Uzbekistan. However, certain inactivity is observed in relation to one of the main issues – trade and economic relations; there were some communication problems… How do you think these problems will be solved with involvement of leaders of Southern Caucasus and Central Asia or…?
A: This question was discussed more than once during negotiations with President of Uzbekistan Mr. Islam Karimov and intergovernmental commission’s meetings. The problem mainly turns on the fact that our communication with Uzbekistan is carried out through the territory of Turkmenistan. This has certainly, caused serious damage to economic relations between the two countries. Time will show the way to solve the problem; in any case, the intergovernmental commission will consider the issue. We will also try to cope with the communication problems.
Q: Mr. President, the OSCE turns 12, the format of peace talks on Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was determined through the mediation of OSCE on March 24 1992. As President of Azerbaijan, how do you appraise the 12-year activity of the organization?
A: I expressed my opinion on the matter more than once: there is no result; I cannot give a positive assessment as the OSCE Minsk group has not take a positive step for this period. True, proposals appear from time to time; they have been trying to contribute to settlement of the problem, but I think today’s position of the Minsk Group cannot allow to do so as it is that of an observer rather than a mediator. They say let the two presidents come to an agreement, then we will approve that – this is not a mediation mission but an observation one. If the OSCE Minsk group is not able to cope with the task, we should think.
Q: Mr. President, Armenian leadership often points out the Key-West and Paris principles that causes serious concern of people in Azerbaijan because of being unaware of them. Does any agreement questioning in fact territorial integrity of Azerbaijan exist?
A: There was no agreement reached. There was no common position on any aspect. Of course, different ways are discussed during talks - it is very difficult process. There is no agreement - this is just one more fiction of Armenian side. Why do they do so? Perhaps, it is connected with internal processes taking place lately in Armenian society… If such an agreement really exists, let them make it public officially. Today, the world demands transparency; it is impossible to conceal any agreement, even a secret one.
Q: Mr. President, the question of opening borders between Armenia and Turkey has been raised again following Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit to the United States. Do you think Turkey is ready to take such a step?
A: I don’t want to make assumptions. I discussed the issue with Mr. Erdogan while visiting Ankara in Prime Minister capacity. Both Prime Minister Mr. Erdogan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Abdullah Gul then assured me once again that Turkey would not open its borders with Armenia until the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is not solved. It is no secret, however, that European Union and other influential countries put serious pressure on Turkey to make it open borders with Armenia. I would state during meetings with interested parties that Turkey’s opening borders with Armenia would make it impossible to continue peace talks as it would deprive Azerbaijan of its extremely important instrument. Therefore, if the related parties really wish peaceful resolution of the conflict, they should not put pressure on Turkey. Turkey is a great and powerful state, and I am sure it will stand the pressure. Fraternity between Turkey and Azerbaijan is the most important factor to both us and the people of Turkey. Thank you.
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