Exclusive interview of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Mediamax Agency, November 2008
- OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza considers “quite likely” that by the end of the year or early next year the sides will manage to coordinate the basic principles of the conflict settlement. Are the sides really close to that?
- I would like to hope for such “likelihood” and, taking into account the situation, which is being formed in our region, also for realization of a sober analysis of developments of events by the Armenian leadership for us to be able to reach what Mr. Bryza talks about.
On the whole, I can say that, as of today, there is a good international-legal and mediatory basis for the settlement of the conflict.
- Recently, quite a few comments were voiced concerning the Declaration, signed by the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Russian Federation. What is the main value of the given document from the official point of view of Baku?
- First of all, it points out the way for solution, that is to say, it is kind of a road map, secondly, it demonstrates the will of the conflict sides to move forward, of which the signatures of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents evidence. In a word, one can say that a basis to reach a breakthrough in the negotiations is established, and we should make use of it.
I do not want to go into in-detail analysis of the document concerning the structuring and comparing of priority norms and principles of the international law, since I believe that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has already openly done that. I would only want to add about the importance of provisions, which fix the stage-by-stage character of the settlement and the confidence building measures. This is very important to establish predictability in the region.
- Madrid principles of the settlement provide for “reconciliation” of the principles of territorial integrity and the right for self-determination. One of the mechanisms of “reconciliation”, judging from the statements of the sides, made in the course of the recent few years, is the realization of a referendum/voting/plebiscite in Nagorno-Karabakh. Is Azerbaijan really ready to accept such a mechanism?
- The status determination before the withdrawal of forces and return of forced migrants to Nagorno-Karabakh is impossible either from the legal or from the moral, and even from the technical points of view. However, at the stage of Nagorno-Karabakh status determination, we will be guided by international law and the internal legislation.
- To what extent is the issue of international peacekeepers placement in the conflict zone a matter of principle for Baku?
- In case we manage to agree concerning the issue of international peacekeeping forces, in general they should play the role of a stabilizer, which will allow creating more trust between Armenian and Azerbaijani communities.
- The Declaration signed by the Presidents read about the necessity of measures on consolidating trust between the sides. Are particular measures, which would be able to contribute to establishing an atmosphere of trust in “small steps” policy spirit, being discussed during the talks? For instance, organization of regular reciprocal visits of journalists, art workers?
- Certain confidence building measures, of course, are possible at present as well, and you correctly pointed out to some of those. Moreover, there is already such practice, when delegations of art workers visited Azerbaijan and Armenia. By the way, journalists also entered the above-mentioned groups. For some reason, however, the given initiative did not have its continuation. We would consider useful to really inform the society on the state of affairs.
The resolution of the conflict meets the interests of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and probably, the interests of Armenia to a greater extent than the interests of Azerbaijan. Indeed, the territories of my country will be liberated from occupation and thousands of forced migrants will return to their homes. However, let us see what Armenia and the Armenian people gained from this war. Azerbaijan’s GDP is 4 times the Armenian one, Armenia does not participate in a single strategic regional project, the lion’s share of the Armenian GDP goes to military expenses. By the way, despite many statements, in percentage correlation to the GDP, Armenia’s military expenses make more than the Azerbaijani ones. All the communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan are interrupted, etc. Naturally, Azerbaijan, with a million of forced migrants and refugees, as well as with the economic losses from the continuing occupation, is not the gainer either. However, the situations are incomparable.
The settlement of the conflict will allow opening communications; it will open way for Armenia’s participation in regional projects, huge investments into your country and overall improvement of the climate. Armenia will only benefit from this. And, believe me, Azerbaijan is interested in having a prosperous, peaceful and predictable neighbor.
- What is Azerbaijan’s attitude towards the efforts, which have been taken up in the recent months at the highest level, to establish political dialogue between Armenia and Turkey?
- These are relations of two sovereign states and I would like to hope that this will have positive influence on establishing peace and security in the South Caucasus.
