INTERVIEW OF PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV TO AZERBAIJAN NATIONAL TELEVISION
Azertag, November 29, 2006
Following is the interview the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave to the Azerbaijan National Television while flying back to Baku from Minsk, where he had participated in the summit of the heads of CIS member-states.
- 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.
FOREIGN MINISTERS OPTIMISTIC
ON GARABAGH TALKS
AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA NEAR FINAL TALKS ON DISPUTED REGION
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