"Ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will call into question the very existence of Armenia"

“The meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, which also involved leader of one of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, is a positive fact,” Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Aydin Mirzazade said commenting on a recent trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents in St. Petersburg.

The MP says Dmitry Medvedev personally took part in 6th meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders and it has a beneficial effect on the negotiations.

"Azerbaijan's position is objective, clear and fair. Its aims to restore country’s territorial integrity, withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupied territories and granting Nagorno-Karabakh the highest status of autonomy within the Azerbaijani state,” the MP added.

“Azerbaijan’s sound and clear position gives an opportunity to participate in any negotiations and welcome any steps that would facilitate the settlement to the Karabakh conflict based on these principles. Russia is not just one of the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk group. It has considerable influence in the region and maintains close ties both with Azerbaijan and Armenia," the parliamentarian noted.

The MP says the latest meeting was said to mark some rapprochement in parties’ positions and foreign ministries were instructed to take further steps. He noted the fact that Russian president held separate meetings with Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders shows that the situation has moved forward.

“Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders had not met for six months. But last year marked the high intensity of the meetings and even suggestions had it that the sides will discuss options for a final peace agreement. Of course, the Karabakh problem remains unresolved due to destructive position of Armenia, which has not yet expressed its attitude to proposals that were submitted to official Yerevan during the Sochi meeting,” Mirzazade said.

According to the MP, this irresponsible attitude by Armenian leaders will result in major problems for this country. "The question is that Azerbaijan conducts a comprehensive work to restore its territorial integrity. The military option remains in force. Yerevan needs to understand this," the MP said.

He recalled that a couple of days ago Azerbaijan amended its state budget to increase defense spending by 330 million manats amid global economic crisis increasing. "That is, defense spending was increased in the amount of the entire military budget of Armenia. The government shows determination in this issue. Azerbaijan is not going to indefinitely tolerate occupation of its lands,” the MP pointed out.

At the same time, Mirzazade said the recent talks showed encouraging signs in terms of a peaceful solution to the conflict. These are Russian President’s active involvement, upcoming visit to the region by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ who may present proposals coordinated in St. Petersburg.

Mirzazade also noted with regret that the co-chairs continue to show loyalty to Armenia, the aggressor side in the Karabakh conflict.

"In January this year, Armenian President promised to respond to updated Madrid principles within two weeks. But, as we see, six months have passed and still there is no answer. The conflict will lead to a situation which will call into question the very existence of Armenia. This can be judged by the severe economic and demographic situation in the country.”

Azerbaijan’s principled position and country’s increasingly large role as a leader in the region forces major powers to get involved in the Karabakh conflict settlement more actively. International law supports us. The world sees Azerbaijan as a unique model of a democratic, civilized and prosperous nation," the MP said.

The MP says currently 60,000-70,000 Armenians live in Nagorno-Karabakh and such a small community is offered such a high degree of autonomy nowhere in the world. Karabakh is an ancient land of Azerbaijan, but there is no single Azerbaijani living there while about 30,000 Armenians live in Azerbaijan,” the MP added.

"Azerbaijan is interested in a quick settlement of the conflict. The solution to the Karabakh problem will pave a way development of the region. For instance, funds spent for military purposes could be used to finance regional projects with Armenia’s involvement, as an investment in the Armenian economy and as joint projects in tourism, education, etc. Of course, all this is possible only after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia and the recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," Mirzazade said.


/Day.Az/