- Mr. President, on the sidelines of the summit of the heads of CIS member-states, you met with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. What could you tell about the outcomes of the meeting?

- It is nearly three years since the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks have been conducted within the framework of the Prague process. Over this period, there have been quite a few meetings at both presidents’ and foreign ministers’ level. Of course, ways of solution to the problem were discussed at the meeting. We have gone through several stages, and I can say, we are approaching the final stage of the negotiations. Because, you know, over the three years of negotiations, all aspects of the problem have been discussed, and positions of the sides have been completely formed. We already are at the stage when the future of the negotiations depends on our own steps. So, in general, I value the outcomes of the meeting as normal.

As you are aware, the Minsk group co-chairs have recently been to Baku and Yerevan. The Azerbaijani side accepted their proposal i.e. agreed to have the meeting. On the meeting itself, the talks were held in a constructive way, focusing on the vexed points, as over the past period, we have managed to find solution to a number of problems we could not agree on before. But divergences remain on the crucial points. As for the Azerbaijan’s position, I would like to reiterate that our position remains unchanged. Azerbaijan is insistent that the problem must be solved within our territorial integrity.

The United Nations Security Council’s four resolutions must be fulfilled: Azerbaijan’s territories must be freed from the occupation forces, with more than one million Azerbaijanis returning to their home lands.

I can say, the recent activities of the international organizations completely satisfy us. The influential international organizations have already expressed their stance on the problem’s territorial integrity-based resolution. Of course, this makes our position stronger. In general, any problem can only be resolved within a certain framework such as an international law, norm or principle. Not a single problem can be settled beyond this, and any precedent, if set, could cause great problems for other countries in future. So, I would like to say that the Azerbaijan’s fundamental stance remains unchanged: Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity must be restored. The people in Nagorno Karabakh must be provided with the high status of governing within the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

- Mr. President, during the past two months you had successful visits to a number of countries. How do you assess the results of those visits?

- In general, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is very active and successful. I can say, over the past two months, I took quite a few trips within the country; in particular, in October, I visited provinces many times. In November, I paid a number of foreign visits. This visit is the fifth one. In the beginning of the month, I visited Brussels, the home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO. The visit was very successful with important results achieved. As you know, we have already started the neighborhood policy with the European Union; this is a very extensive, five-year program. It applies to both political and economic issues, and I am convinced that its implementation will accelerate the processes of democratization in Azerbaijan.

With NATO, we are cooperating within the Individual Partnership Action Plan, and both sides are very satisfied with the cooperation. In general, my Brussels visit means strengthening Azerbaijan’s integration into the EuroAtlantic structures. It is our strategic line, and it is being successfully implemented. Azerbaijan’s position is becoming increasingly stronger.

After that, I paid official visit to Russia. It was very important too. Because Russia is our strategic partner, with which we are strongly bound up politically and economically. Our meeting with President Putin was very significance for both sides. I can say, the visit and its outcomes will serve further deepening of the bilateral relations, and, I am convinced, will have a positive impact on the processes taking place in the region.

Later I visited Turkey to partake at the summit of the heads of Turkic states. We attach great importance to this. As known, several months ago, the Turkish states and communities held their congress in Turkey and I attended it. But this one was the summit of the heads of Turkic states and I had bilateral meetings with the presidents of Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrkyzstan. Strengthening of the Turkic world is of huge significance. As you know, the summits were not held for long years. Next summit will be in Azerbaijan. It was my offer and was accepted. Our relations with both Turkey and other Turkish-speaking countries fortify and strengthen. These relations have great significance both on bilateral and multilateral format. As you know, Azerbaijan is also very active in this direction.

Afterwards, I visited the United Arab Emirates. This visit is of great importance to develop bilateral relations. Sure, the reached agreements will lead to intensification of our economic ties, the delegations will have exchange visits, and of course, our political relations will enhance. On other hand, I regard this visit in the frame of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the Islamic world. We carry out active work in the frame of the Organization of Islamic Conference. This year, Azerbaijan hosted two authoritative conferences. Ministers of foreign affairs and ministers of tourism held conferences in Baku. Cooperation with the Islamic countries has great importance for us. Azerbaijan carries out enormous works in this direction and we persistently feel support of the Islamic countries at UN, the Islamic Conference Organization, in other international structures. In voting, these countries uphold us, and we support them. The Islamic solidarity has become stronger. This is necessary for both the Islamic world and us.

Today, in Minsk, the CIS heads of state had their summit. In the frame of this meeting, also took place the meetings with the presidents of Ukraine, Georgia and Belarus. We had useful meetings. That is, this November, if admitted, combine all major aspects of our foreign policy. It shows how effective, active and flexible is our foreign policy. This is very significant. The foreign policy boosts domestic policy of each country, and it is continuation of interior policy.

In our country, very successful processes are underway. Political and economic reforms, solution of the social problems, improvement of the welfare of people, strengthening of stability and safety - we achieve all these and strengthen our country. Our foreign policy has certainly to be successful to reinforce these accomplishments. Azerbaijan should actively take part at the ongoing regional processes, and our cooperation with the neighboring countries, partners, and international organizations is high level. Azerbaijan’s international position strengthens, and its image on international arena grows. Azerbaijan, as a reliable partner and friendly country enhances its position on the world.

- Mr. President, last times, some oppositional forces make claims connected with mass media. How can you regard them?

- You know, as a whole, the political processes ongoing in Azerbaijan are positive. Along with political reforms, we continue the economic reforms either, and I have told several times and I reiterate that the political reforms should complete the economic reforms. Both of them should be carried out in parallel. We have already big economic potential, we have created it. Political reforms, development of democracy in the country, freedom of word, press, belief, supremacy of law - all these are our priorities. The more important is carrying out of economic reforms the more significant are the political reforms. In absence of strong public control and free society in Azerbaijan, our economic successes will not have prospects, and they will be for the short term. Therefore, last years, the core of the political reforms in Azerbaijan, their essence is to develop the country all-roundedly, and every citizen benefited all freedoms. Press freedom in Azerbaijan is available. There are over 500 press organs in the country and function freely. We make serious steps in this direction. Ensuring freedom of press and word is one of our priorities, and I can say Azerbaijan has reached notable accomplishments in this field. As you know, we have joined the new neighborhood policy of European Union. That plan of activity also includes continuation of political reforms, that is, it is our choice. Should we not be definite in this question, nobody could enforce his views on us. This is our choice, our wish and our will. That’s way, we should not politicize the situation in connection with some media bodies. All questions should be solved on legal ground.

Recently, remove of the Azadlig newspaper to other premises has long been discussed among the oppositional media. This technical matter is artificially exaggerated as though the state wants to suppress the oppositional press. On the contrary, we have created very good conditions for Azadlig newspaper. They, too, will be provided at the Azerbaijan Publishing House, where all the media bodies are placed. The question should be treated only on legal ground. There is freedom of word and press in Azerbaijan, and nobody should doubt it. Sure, these processes will intensively go ahead in Azerbaijan. As our country modernizes, enriches, becomes a modern state, and put limits to press is impossible. In globalizing world, it is impossible to restrict the press.

As to the situation connected to ANS TV channel, it is, of course, a matter of discussions, and I consider that this also should not be regarded politically. I always support strengthening of free press - years ago and after I was elected President of the country - including the ANS TV, for which I have also made necessary efforts. In hard years for the channel, in any case, the Channel’s officials can affirm this - I have been beside them. I have done this, for, I consider the strengthening of free and independent press in Azerbaijan is necessary.

Nevertheless, along with that, every question should be solved on legal ground. Law is the same for all. We create a legal state in Azerbaijan. I demand from all officials to follow the laws. From simple citizens to the head of state, from a journalist to manager of channel - all should obey the law. One may like the law, another may dislike. However, this is law and these laws rule society and country. Nobody can be above the law. In some cases, they disseminate such opinion that having a press organ, being a journalist or representative of media, gives special privileges. That is not right, all are the same before the law. There are public bodies, the National Television and Radio Council, and they have right objections, substantial offers and every media organ should provide them. Therefore, I consider these questions can find their solution in a working atmosphere and on good intention. Should the objections and demands are fulfilled in the warning, then, the channel can function further.

You know, I would note once again, in the present time, it is impossible to close and restrict any media organ. We live in the period of Internet. Now, why do we connect the schools to Internet? That, our people, our children, the youth could be familiarized with the ongoing processes in world, comprehend the global novelties, acquire and apply in life.

I often visit the regions, the remote villages. There are satellite antennas in the far distant villages, and not seldom, but in mass. That is, restriction of any media is not possible. Soon, the TV programs will be broadcasted in mobile phones. That is, restriction is not the goal, and there is no such intention. Merely, all should observe the law, and all should act in the frame of law. Nobody will have special conditions. This is my position of principle and I shall not change it. Every question should be solved on the ground of law. In that case, not a problem will remain. Should everybody perceive this and obey the laws, then, all matters will find solution.

I reiterate that it is my viewpoint, and it is my philosophy. I want to see Azerbaijan as a modern state. Rich and economically strengthened, politically free, modern, open to the world, ready for cooperation, able to defend its position, with powerful army, able to restore its territorial integrity, and I will do my best for this. Nobody and nothing can avoid me from this way. Thank you.