Diplomat: 'Azerbaijan is active participant of antiterrorist coalition'

Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN, acting president of the UN Security Council Agshin Mehdiyev spoke at a press conference for journalists, during which he told of the activities to be undertaken by the Security Council in May. After that, Mehdiyev responded to questions from reporters.

Asked about the situation in Syria, the ambassador noted that it is difficult to predict anything.

"The Security Council is united in support of the Annan Plan. We expect that Annan will update us on this issue and share his own vision of the situation in this country at upcoming meeting", he added.

Asked about press freedom in Azerbaijan, the envoy said he could provide links to websites of opposition newspapers, and anyone can ensure that they publish what they think is necessary, without any censorship.

"You will be able to see this, and without my help," - he added. According to Mehdiyev, one should not confuse freedom of speech with responsibility.

"If after committed a crime, a man suddenly announce that he is a journalist, or persecuted for political reasons, it does not make him innocent," - said the ambassador.

Responding to a question on the participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting of the UN Security Council devoted to the fight against terrorism, Mehdiyev noted that the head of state pays special attention to this subject.

"Azerbaijani President will preside at the meeting to be held tomorrow. Our country has repeatedly faced with terrorism, from the 90s. Today we face from time to time, attempts to carry out terrorist acts in Azerbaijan. Our country is an active participant of the antiterrorist coalition. We are actively working with our allies and partners on this issue",- he added.

Answering a The Wall Street Journal reporter's question about the reports, which describe the possible use of military installations on the territory of Azerbaijan for operations against Iran, the ambassador said that Azerbaijan is cooperating with many countries in the military sphere, but the fundamental position of our country remains unchanged.

"The principled position of Azerbaijan consists in the fact that there is no foreign military bases in our country," - said the Ambassador.

One of the journalists asked a question about whether Azerbaijan is going to make the Security Council to discuss the question of the Armenian-occupied territories.

"This issue is always on our agenda. We will use every slightest opportunity to bring the truth about the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the world community. However, for now I have not received instructions from my government on how to make this issue the agenda of the Security Council as a separate item, "- said Mehdiyev.


/Trend/