The Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian ministers of foreign affairs have recently had negotiations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov gave an interview to Moskovsiye Novosti.
Mammadyarov said that he has had intensive contacts with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev joined in the process of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The status quo is leading to a regression in the development of the region and relations. There is a high number of refugees and forced migrants. Enhancing an arms build-up will not contribute to settling the situation. Azerbaijani citizens were driven out of territories that Armenians never lived on. Over 700,000 people demand that the issue be resolved. The Azerbaijani government is providing them with accommodation.
The minister said that the war in South Ossetia in 2008 augmented the talks. An updated plan developed by the OSCE in 2007, the Madrid Document, was presented in 2009. The plan stated that occupation of the territory cannot continue. Armenia must withdraw its forces according to schedule. Fulfilment of the document will allow people to return to the region and start its restoration.
Mammadyarov said that the international principles are based on the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Charter. Modern technologies and globalization lift the borders. He said that he sticks to the classical approach and balance.
The minister said that Azerbaijan is monitoring the situation in North Africa and the Middle East. International security is enforced by the UN, its Charter and the Security Council. There are resolutions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict which became the basis for settling the conflict in 1993. Yet, they are not being fulfilled, unlike the immediate fulfilment of the resolutions on Libya.
Mammadyarov touched upon the role of Turkey. Occupation of Kelbadzhar is one of the key reaons for the closing of the Turkish-Armenian border. Azerbaijan urges Turkey to be a stabilizing influence and support a settlement of the conflict.
