Eastern Partnership Summit’s statement – Azerbaijan’s great victory
The statement adopted at the Eastern Partnership Summit is a great victory of Azerbaijan, Novruz Mammadov, assistant to the Azerbaijani president for foreign policy issues, head of the department, said at a briefing on December 23.
The statement adopted at the Eastern Partnership Summit is a great victory of Azerbaijan, Novruz Mammadov, assistant to the Azerbaijani president for foreign policy issues, head of the department, said at a briefing on December 23.
He said there is something missing in today’s world – justice and international law have been put aside.
“In this case, the threat of a great war is even closer. The leaders and public of these states should be more sensitive and should not stay away from the principle of justice,” noted Mammadov.
“Does the European Union have to wait for such a decision after the separatism incidents in Europe?” said the Azerbaijani top official commenting on the decision of the EU on territorial integrity and sovereignty of Eastern Partnership countries.
“It had to be done long ago. The principle of “let’s decide about it, if separatism occurs in any European country” is incorrect. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was one of the first conflicts that emerged after the collapse of the USSR, and if there has been a concrete and fair position on the conflict, and the problem has been solved, there would not have been other conflicts. The whole world would have seen that there are no prospects if you take a step beyond international law. But they see there is a conflict and it lasts for many years and it cannot be resolved; in such a case conflicts increase,” noted Mammadov.
Noting that in general, 2017 was one of very successful years for Azerbaijan, the top official said the support to territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries, reflected in the statement of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels in November, is of great importance.
“This, in fact, is a great victory of the Azerbaijani side in the conflict's settlement. If there were dual approaches in the position of European countries, there will be no more after this. This will also strengthen the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ attention to the issue,” added Mammadov.
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway guarantees stability, security in world
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is a guarantee of stability and security in the world, according to Mammadov. He noted that Azerbaijan has made a great contribution to the international community in 2017.
“Azerbaijan has proclaimed this year as "the Year of Islamic Solidarity". This year, and in previous years Azerbaijan hosted a dialogue between civilizations, international conferences, humanitarian forums and other important events. These were possible thanks to the fact that Azerbaijan could easily resolve its internal issues and the President of Azerbaijan had the opportunity to contribute to the international community.”
Referring to the Baku-Tbilisi Kars railway, Mammadov stressed that this rail line is an important part of the historic Silk Road connecting East and West.
“This is a guarantor of stability and security in the world, and we can proudly say that Azerbaijan has successfully realized it. We will continue to see significant contributions of the project to Azerbaijan, to the region, as well as to international cooperation.”
Armenia makes every effort to delay negotiations on Karabakh conflict
The assistant to the president went on saying that the Armenian side always tries to delay the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“Today there is a great tension in the world and this tension worries the OSCE Minsk Group cochairs as well. From this point of view, it is almost certain that attention to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has decreased,” he noted.
“Despite this, the co-chairs recently visited the region, had meetings with the Azerbaijani president. Representatives of the European Union and OSCE also met with the Azerbaijani president and they showed that processes are underway for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” added the top official.
“Meanwhile, the Russian president made a statement,” said Mammadov. “In other words, processes are underway, but the Armenian side always tries to delay the negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh conflict and does its utmost for this."
He said if the principles of international law are not respected, one cannot speak about stability in the world.
“It is necessary to adhere to the principle of justice. Then the stability, security can be established, and a stronger development can be achieved in the world,” added Mammadov.
Jerusalem issue should be solved under UN resolutions, int’l law
Touching upon the Jerusalem issue, Mammadov said that it should be solved under the UN resolutions and international law.
The Azerbaijani side voiced its position at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on Jerusalem, he noted.
“We stand by Muslim countries in this issue and we believe the Jerusalem issue should be solved under the UN resolutions and international law,” said Mammadov.
He noted that the step taken in connection with Jerusalem has created tension on international arena.
“There was no need to take this step. This does not contribute to international relations in the world, and on the contrary, aggravates the situation,” added Mammadov.