AZERI LEADER SLAMS ARMENIA OVER HAMPERING PROGRESS IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
http://www.armenianow.com/karabakh/44577/azerbaijan_armenia_karabakh_minsk_group_aliyev_now ruz
KARABAKH | 20.03.13 | 12:27
Photo: www.president.az
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has accused Armenia of impeding
a resolution to the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, claiming
that international mediators show indifference on this account.
"The most painful issue for our country, the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, unfortunately won't find a solution,"
said Aliyev in a speech on the occasion of Nowruz, which is also
traditionally celebrated in Azerbaijan as the New Year.
The Azeri leader criticized Armenia for what he described as a
non-constructive position, at the same time noting that the Minsk
Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
the main international format brokering a solution to the conflict,
has remained indifferent.
"Armenia is, of course, interested in the maximum long maintenance
of the status quo, a situation which implies neither war nor peace,
but that cannot satisfy us. Azerbaijan uses and will keep using all
possible tools to promote progress and development in the negotiation
process to achieve a quick settlement and have its territorial
integrity restored," stressed Aliyev.
Officials in Yerevan have routinely dismissed such criticism,
countering that Baku itself shows lack of constructivism and torpedoes
peace initiatives.
In his address, the Azerbaijani leader, meanwhile, again voiced
certitude that the ultimate resolution of the Karabakh conflict will
be in Baku's favor.
"We now prefer a diplomatic solution. Meanwhile, we are strengthening
our country and isolating Armenia from all regional projects. And we
will pursue these policies in the future," he said.
The remarks by the president of Azerbaijan came amid another visit
of Minsk Group mediators to the region. On Tuesday, the American,
Russian and French co-heads of the Group met with Karabakh leader
Bako Sahakyan. The international mediators are also expected to meet
with officials in Yerevan and Baku.
http://www.armenianow.com/karabakh/44577/azerbaijan_armenia_karabakh_minsk_group_aliyev_now ruz
KARABAKH | 20.03.13 | 12:27
Photo: www.president.az
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has accused Armenia of impeding
a resolution to the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, claiming
that international mediators show indifference on this account.
"The most painful issue for our country, the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, unfortunately won't find a solution,"
said Aliyev in a speech on the occasion of Nowruz, which is also
traditionally celebrated in Azerbaijan as the New Year.
The Azeri leader criticized Armenia for what he described as a
non-constructive position, at the same time noting that the Minsk
Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
the main international format brokering a solution to the conflict,
has remained indifferent.
"Armenia is, of course, interested in the maximum long maintenance
of the status quo, a situation which implies neither war nor peace,
but that cannot satisfy us. Azerbaijan uses and will keep using all
possible tools to promote progress and development in the negotiation
process to achieve a quick settlement and have its territorial
integrity restored," stressed Aliyev.
Officials in Yerevan have routinely dismissed such criticism,
countering that Baku itself shows lack of constructivism and torpedoes
peace initiatives.
In his address, the Azerbaijani leader, meanwhile, again voiced
certitude that the ultimate resolution of the Karabakh conflict will
be in Baku's favor.
"We now prefer a diplomatic solution. Meanwhile, we are strengthening
our country and isolating Armenia from all regional projects. And we
will pursue these policies in the future," he said.
The remarks by the president of Azerbaijan came amid another visit
of Minsk Group mediators to the region. On Tuesday, the American,
Russian and French co-heads of the Group met with Karabakh leader
Bako Sahakyan. The international mediators are also expected to meet
with officials in Yerevan and Baku.