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BAKU: Double standards hinder Karabakh conflict settlement

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  • BAKU: Double standards hinder Karabakh conflict settlement

    news.az, Azerbaijan
    Nov 21 2009


    Double standards hinder Karabakh conflict settlement
    Sat 21 November 2009 | 10:20 GMT Text size:


    Elnur Aslanov Elnur Aslanov, head of the political analysis and
    information department at Azerbaijan's presidential administration,
    comments to News.Az on the process to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh
    conflict.

    "The double standards applied in relations with the South Caucasus
    countries are among the real hindrances to the Karabakh conflict
    settlement. Everyone knows that territorial integrity, which is an
    imperative principle of international law, was violated and lands were
    occupied. Therefore, the world community should differentiate between
    the aggressor and the victim. On the other hand, this illegal
    situation can be assessed as a crime against peace, and the state
    should be held internationally and criminally responsible. In this
    respect, the world community must be aware of its responsibility, try
    to act lawfully and not to repeat historical mistakes.

    "Unfortunately, different approaches are applied to equivalent
    conflicts today. Historical experience shows that the application of
    double standards sometimes leads to the strengthening of one party and
    to a deadlock in negotiations. Therefore, the active role of the
    international community in the Karabakh conflict and its determined
    position may create favourable conditions for the settlement of the
    conflict.

    "The unsettled conflict also hinders regional development as regional
    cooperation is possible only between countries that respect the
    principles of good neighbourliness and do not have territorial claims
    against each other. Armenia is isolated from regional economic
    projects as its policy of occupation contradicts the principle of
    regional cooperation. The settlement of the Karabakh conflict is the
    only way to end Armenia's isolation and its regional integration.

    "It should also be noted that as the main initiator and executor of
    projects in the region, Azerbaijan will never agree to Armenia's
    participation in these projects before it withdraws its troops from
    the occupied lands. Azerbaijan will increase political and economic
    pressure on Armenia until the occupation ends. This is the main tool
    in restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

    "If Armenia really wants to demonstrate a positive and sincere
    approach, it should first withdraw its troops from Azerbaijan's lands.

    "However, the position of the Armenian leadership is not sincere. They
    are more concerned with the negative impact of the current situation
    on Armenia's economy. Armenia is among the countries most affected by
    the world financial crisis, therefore, it is not difficult to imagine
    its current state. Furthermore, a greater part of its state budget
    comes from transfers from the diaspora. As the diaspora has faced the
    world crisis, this has affected the Armenian state budget too.

    "In these conditions, the Armenian economy is deteriorating and this
    will further affect internal political stability. The domestic
    political situation worsens when there is no progress in people's
    living conditions and when no positive changes are expected.
    Therefore, the Armenian leadership should realize that peaceful
    coexistence with neighbours and participation in regional cooperation
    meet their interests."

    Jamil Bayramov
    News.Az
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