Baku discloses what peacekeeping forces it wants to see in Karabakh

"Azerbaijan’s position remains the same - stage by stage liberation of occupied territories around Karabakh, and return of displaced people to their native lands. During the transition period Lachin and Kelbajar regions must be liberated and a corridor between Karabakh and Armenia must be created. These processes must be accompanied by cleaning territories from mines and restoration works. It can take from 5 to 10 years," Mammadov said.

"Then displaced people must return to Karabakh, and it is necessary to deploy peacekeeping forces. After the return of 60,000 Azerbaijanis there and the restoration of situation legal status of Karabakh can be determined only in the frames of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. It can take up to 10 years,” Mamedov said.

He said it is early to speak about exact time now, because it is not known how the processes will develop. The return of only seven regions around Karabakh will cause the return of 760,000 people.

"All houses, industrial and social infrastructure have been destroyed there. Several years will take cleaning the territories from mines, and the whole process can take 15 to 20 years," Mammadov said.

Not going into details of renewed Madrid Principles he said that they are about development of Karabakh’s status, i.e. who and when will take a decision, question on peacekeeping forces, their structure, placing and question connected with corridor.

He agreed with co- chairs that the sides are close to agreement, but even a small detail can influence the process of settlement.

"Of course Armenia wants the resolution of legal status at first stage, but co-chairs agreed that all seven regions around Karabakh must be returned," Mammadov said.

"Azerbaijan’s does not want peacekeepers from neighbor countries in the peacekeeping forces. It would be better if peacekeeping forces were from European states and U.S.," Mammadov  said.

He said that it would be appropriate to deploy peacekeepers to the contact line between Karabakh and nearby regions.

"Status of Karabakh must be determined on the basis of Azerbaijan’s Constitution. It will be determined at the last stage, so nothing can be said now," Mamedov said.

In case of successful development of peaceful process communication will be opened; question on opening of automobile roads will be raised.

"I think Armenia first of all is interested in opening of railway, because of blockade caused by it itself," Mammadov said.

/top7.az/