STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV
Dear members of the Romanian delegation,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Official visit of the President of Romania Mr. Traian Besescu to Azerbaijan is very important step in mutual relations. Our countries successfully cooperate. Romania became the second state, which has recognized independence of Azerbaijan, and after restoration of our state independence, we constantly feel support of Romania. And today we see this support and we wish to express to the President of Romania, the Romanian government our deep gratitude.
Our relations are multilateral. Now, we have intensive political dialogue. I should note that for the last of one and a half year we have had many meetings with Mr. Besescu. Today's is the fourth. It testifies that we have close enough contacts, we constantly have consultations, wide exchange of vies. And today we had very sincere, open negotiations, both at the meeting in private, and with participation of delegations. Discussed were numerous questions - bilateral relations, economic, political links, integration of Azerbaijan to Euro-Atlantic structures and support by Romania of this policy, large energy projects, successful oil strategy of Azerbaijan and principles of the further cooperation. All these questions were in the center of attention. On all these questions, we had wide exchange of opinions, and we had no disagreements. It is the pleasant phenomenon; it once again testifies that mutual relations are carried out in wide format. These relations are multilateral, cover various spheres and, certainly, create fine ground for all-around development of our relations.
Besides, discussed were the processes ongoing in region, situation in region, issues of strengthening safety measures. Our region possesses huge opportunities, greater prospects. The role and growing opportunities of Azerbaijan in cause of updating of transport infrastructure, opening of new transport corridors, deliveries of energy carriers to the world and European markets, strengthening of power safety of the Europe, certainly, bring region to very important point.
If to consider, that joint activity of regions of the Black and Caspian seas are realities of today, then, strengthening of stability, strengthening of security measures in region very much interest and disturb us. These ideas have sounded at the Black Sea forum taken place in Romania, Bucharest. Tendencies of cooperation observed in our region set basis of regional interaction in a wide format. There is no doubt that importance of joint efforts of Romania and Azerbaijan in this cause is obvious. Considering all this, I wish to tell once again, that all we are interested in establishment of peace and safety in region.
The Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the source of the basic threat in region. This conflict can lead to infringement of stability in region, and it is a huge obstacle in a way of regional cooperation. The position of Azerbaijan remains constant: Nagorno Karabakh is the Azerbaijan land both form historical, and legal points of view. We demand execution of four Resolutions of the United Nations Organization on this question and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupational forces from the our lands that the people ousted form their native lands as a result of ethnic cleaning pursued by Armenian politicians against Azerbaijanis, could return to their homes. That the consequences of policy of ethnic cleaning have been eliminated, and the question has found its solution on the basis of norms and principles of international law.
Azerbaijan recognizes territorial integrity of all countries and, certainly, demands recognition of its territorial integrity. I can tell that the world, except for Armenia, recognizes territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has entered the United Nations Organization together with Nagonro Karabakh. Therefore, the question can find solution exclusively in a legal plane, and our position remains constant. For safety of Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh, various measures can be taken. We already spoke, I wish to repeat it and today, that Nagorno Karabakh can be given the status of high autonomy in structure of Azerbaijan. However, questions of annexation of Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, creation in territory of Azerbaijan of the second Armenian state are not and will not be theme of discussion.
The position of Romania on the given question pleases, and inspires us. The position of Romania has found reflection in the Joint Declaration signed today. We are very grateful to the Romanian government, the President of Romania for this position, this approach. Such position should extend on all conflicts. All conflicts can find solution as a result of a single approach, without any exception.
If there will be any exception, his can lead to very bitter conclusions. In the world, in Europe, in our region, there are similar conflicts and if it will find solution on some principles but not on the international law, the entire region will suffer from this. I reiterate and consider that Azerbaijan’s position plays principle role in settlement of the question, and our position is supported. We feel this support and this support gradually grows.
I would hope that Azerbaijan joining the European Neighboring Policy, in settlement of the conflict could benefit also from Europe’s opportunities. We much want that along with the Minsk Group, other organizations, too, stated their positions related to this question, and took active part in this cause. We are very pleased that on initiative of the GUAM countries, the question of “frozen conflicts” was put on the agenda of the 61st session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. The State of Romania has disclosed its position in this question, has supported position of Azerbaijan and GUAM countries. I repeat that all these are evidence to our sincere relations, and current visit of the Romanian President to Azerbaijan will strengthen our relations much more. We wish it, and we want it. Romania is our close and friendly country. I am confident that our relations will further widen, deepen and our peoples will become closer. Thank you.
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