Strategic road a key issue in Garabagh talks: official
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has
said the Lachin corridor that links the occupied Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh region with Armenian territory is one of the main
unresolved issues remaining to be agreed upon in peace talks.
Azimov said Azerbaijan is opposed to this road being unilaterally controlled by Armenians.
``Just as Armenia consider this road crossing the Lachin district as very important in terms of a link with Garabagh`s Armenian community, it is of great importance for Azerbaijan,`` the deputy minister said.
According to Azimov, Baku would never agree for any road to be at the disposal of one side, noting that Azerbaijan has proposals on the use of the Lachin corridor by both parties to the conflict.
``This proposal of ours is supported by Turkey, as well. The country`s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, has repeatedly said in his statements that granting the Lachin road to the disposal of both sides could play a great role in normalizing relations between the three countries - Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia - and that using this road will, indeed, be pivotal for peace and cooperation.``
Azimov noted that the main point is that Azerbaijan has no intention to cede part of its land, and this would never change.
The deputy minister said Armenia would have to pull out of the occupied Azerbaijani districts in stages and over a short time.
``Most of these territories must be freed in the initial stage, and the remaining land - during the later stage,`` he added.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Despite numerous rounds of OSCE-brokered negotiations, peace talks have been fruitless so far and refugees remain stranded. Baku has repeatedly said the occupied districts must be freed and Azerbaijani refugees, displaced during the armed conflict in the early 1990s, returned home, and only after that could the status of Upper Garabagh be determined within the territory of Azerbaijan.
Azimov said Azerbaijan is opposed to this road being unilaterally controlled by Armenians.
``Just as Armenia consider this road crossing the Lachin district as very important in terms of a link with Garabagh`s Armenian community, it is of great importance for Azerbaijan,`` the deputy minister said.
According to Azimov, Baku would never agree for any road to be at the disposal of one side, noting that Azerbaijan has proposals on the use of the Lachin corridor by both parties to the conflict.
``This proposal of ours is supported by Turkey, as well. The country`s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, has repeatedly said in his statements that granting the Lachin road to the disposal of both sides could play a great role in normalizing relations between the three countries - Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia - and that using this road will, indeed, be pivotal for peace and cooperation.``
Azimov noted that the main point is that Azerbaijan has no intention to cede part of its land, and this would never change.
The deputy minister said Armenia would have to pull out of the occupied Azerbaijani districts in stages and over a short time.
``Most of these territories must be freed in the initial stage, and the remaining land - during the later stage,`` he added.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Despite numerous rounds of OSCE-brokered negotiations, peace talks have been fruitless so far and refugees remain stranded. Baku has repeatedly said the occupied districts must be freed and Azerbaijani refugees, displaced during the armed conflict in the early 1990s, returned home, and only after that could the status of Upper Garabagh be determined within the territory of Azerbaijan.
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