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Baku: John Kerry: Minsk Group Co-Chair U.S. Interested In Karabakh S

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  • Baku: John Kerry: Minsk Group Co-Chair U.S. Interested In Karabakh S

    JOHN KERRY: MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR U.S. INTERESTED IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

    AzerNews, Azerbaijan
    June 4 2013

    By Sara Rajabova

    Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with US
    Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit to the United States,
    according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

    At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the American Jewish Committee
    Global Forum, Kerry said that Azerbaijan is a wonderful statement
    about the ability of different religions, different creeds to come
    together and live together and to find a way forward.

    According to him, Azerbaijan has been an important partner in
    Afghanistan, in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force,
    and equally important with respect to the northern distribution route
    and also the southern gas line and other issues that are of great
    importance to the U.S.

    Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Kerry said, "As a co-chair
    of the Minsk Group, we have a serious interest in helping Azerbaijan
    and Armenia to be able to find a way forward. The last thing we want
    is a return to war and to conflict."

    Minister Mammadyarov, for his part, said Azerbaijan attaches great
    importance to its relations with the U.S. and expressed confidence that
    the successful economic, investment and energy cooperation as well
    as the collaboration in the framework of international organizations
    will further deepen.

    Speaking about the negotiations over the settlement of the
    Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov noted that the status quo
    must change.

    He stressed that first of all, Armenian armed forces must withdraw
    from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, in order to achieve
    progress in peace talks.

    According to him, Azerbaijan believes that together with the U.S. all
    the problems, in particular, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
    conflict, will be solved.

    The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 as a result of Armenia's
    territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Unleashing a lengthy war
    with its South Caucasus neighbor, Armenia occupied Nagorno-Karabakh
    and seven adjacent regions. Peace talks brokered by OSCE Minsk Group
    co-chairs representing the United States, Russia and France have been
    largely fruitless so far.

    During his visit to the U.S. the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister also
    delivered a speech at the annual global forum of the American Jewish
    Committee on June 2.

    Attending the opening session of the forum, Mammadyarov spoke about
    the expanding relations of Azerbaijan with the United States and
    Israel, and praised the contribution of U.S. Jewish organizations to
    the development of relations between governments.

    Regarding the Azerbaijani-Israeli ties as a close friendship,
    Mammadyarov said the cooperation between the two countries has been
    based on historic good relations between the two nations, mutual
    understanding and on the productive trade and economic relations
    achieved in recent years.

    Mammadyarov stated that the Jewish community has been living in
    Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without being subjected to any restrictions
    and has been represented in various fields of society.

    Mammadyarov also mentioned his official visit to Israel, noting that
    he has held efficient meetings with Israeli President Shimon Peres,
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, and said the
    regular consultations will continue to discuss the issues of mutual
    interest between the two countries.

    He also said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the main obstacle to
    comprehensive cooperation in the South Caucasus region.

    Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan supports a peaceful settlement of the
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the shortest time possible, in accordance
    with the principles of international law and the UN Security Council's
    four resolutions.

    He added that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council,
    Azerbaijan is making an effort for the restoration of peace in
    different parts of the world, including in the Middle East.

    The American Jewish Committee was founded in 1906 and currently has
    offices in 26 states of the U.S., as well as in many other countries
    of the world.

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