AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY: MOSCOW DECLARATION DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE PRINCIPLES WE HAVE UNDERLINED REPEATEDLY

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY: MOSCOW DECLARATION DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE PRINCIPLES WE HAVE UNDERLINED REPEATEDLY

“Moscow Declaration signed by Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents is a productive document and envisages factors and essence of negotiations conducted by now”, Khazar Ibrahim, Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told journalists, APA reports.

Asked what reason made them sign the document, Ibrahim noted that the document ensured the new level on negotiations process for the settlement of the conflict.
“There should be written document after oral statements made by now”, he said.
Asked whether the document will deprive Azerbaijan of rights on military solution to the conflict, the diplomat stated that the document aimed to demonstrate political solution to the conflict.
“Of course, political settlement of the conflict should be based on proper principles. The declaration does not envisage any article against the principles we have underlined repeatedly,” he said.
Asked which principle was taken into consideration basing on norms and principles of the international law in the document, the Spokesman noted that territorial integrity was the main principle of the declaration.
“Helsinki final act also covers people’s right to self-determination, but this right can also be ensured within the framework of territorial integrity. We do not deny any principle of the international law and could not do it. But in the international documents and international law the principle of territorial integrity has a privilege over the right to self-determination,” he said.
Taking a stance on the reports that the release of five regions around Nagorno Karabakh and deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in the territory had been discussed during the negotiations, Khazar Ibrahim said those themes were not the basic content of the negotiations.
“International guarantees should be given by stages. These stages should consist of the withdrawal of troops and return of IDPs to their native lands,” he said.
Touching on the reports that referendum would be held to determine Nagorno Karabakh’s status, the diplomat said Azerbaijani community should first of all return to Nagorno Karabakh, the issue on the status could be solved later within the framework of Azerbaijani borders. As regards the point of the declaration on establishing confidence between the parties, Khazar Ibrahim considers that in order to establish mutual confidence, internally displaced persons should return home.
“Confidence can only be between the communities. If there is no communication between them, any other mechanisms are in vain,” the spokesman said.
Touching on the urgency of Turkey’s regional initiative after signing Moscow Declaration, the spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said Turkey’s initiative should not be confused with this document.
“Turkey’s initiative is about security and stability in the South Caucasus. The declaration is connected with only Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict,” the spokesman said.

Baku. Lachin Sultanova–APA

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