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Azerbaijan urges to step up mediation effort

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, on an official visit to Azerbaijan, on Monday emphasized the need for political will in negotiating a peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Zannier noted that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict poses an enormous threat to the region`s security and stalls economic development in the South Caucasus. He voiced his support for the efforts of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in finding a negotiated solution to the long-standing conflict and strengthening the 1994 ceasefire.

``The conflict will not be resolved by the use of force,`` Zannier said in a press briefing following his meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku. ``Negotiations are the only way forward; and political goodwill and the commitment of all those involved is an essential prerequisite for finding a lasting peaceful solution.``

The Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia leveled territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The two countries fought a lengthy war that displaced about one million Azerbaijanis. Since the fragile ceasefire accord signed in 1994, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory, in defiance of international law. Peace talks, brokered by the United States, Russia and France through the OSCE Minsk Group, have been largely fruitless so far.

The OSCE secretary general said he was ``seriously concerned`` by the recent deadly incidents on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and on the contact line of their troops, which ``marred the efforts to bring long-awaited peace and stability to the people living in these areas``.

All parties should refrain from the use or threat of force, abstain from retaliatory measures, remove snipers from the Line of Contact and implement the agreed confidence-building measures, including the mechanism for investigating incidents on the front lines, Zannier underlined.

He also said that the OSCE stood ready to assist in the implementation of the agreement reached by the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to develop people-to-people contacts and dialogue between the countries` intelligentsia and academic and public circles.

The Azerbaijani minister, in turn, urged the OSCE to step up efforts on Karabakh settlement.

``At the meeting with the OSCE secretary general, the position of Azerbaijan on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement was made clear,`` Elmar Mammadyarov told the joint press briefing. ``We want the organization [the OSCE] to intensify activities on this issue so that progress can been achieved. Despite 20 years of the OSCE Minsk Group`s dealing with the matter, there is still no result.``

``It appears laughable to come to Azerbaijan and propose either removal of snipers from the Line of Contact or some mechanisms. The problem dwells not on any mechanisms, but on the presence of Armenian troops in Azerbaijan`s occupied territories. If those troops pull out, the problems of both incidents [on the frontline] and mechanisms will be resolved. This is Azerbaijan`s stance and we will stand by it,`` he said.

Peace talks are under way on the basis of a peace outline offered by the OSCE mediators, dubbed the Madrid Principles, or Basic Principles. The document envisions a return of the territories surrounding Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijani control; determining the final legal status of Nagorno Karabakh; a corridor linking Armenia to the region; and the right of internally displaced persons to return home.

The foreign minister said that at his meeting with Zannier, they also discussed issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation.

``The OSCE Secretary General put forward specific proposals in connection with elections to be held in Azerbaijan which we will consider. In addition, he submitted a number of proposals for other projects which we will be working on,`` Mammadyarov said.

Zannier stressed that OSCE will continue working with the country in implementing its OSCE commitments.

``Azerbaijan, which this year celebrates 20 years in the OSCE, plays an important role in the work of our organization, in politico-military, economic and environmental and human rights-related areas.``

During his visit to Azerbaijan Zannier met with President Ilham Aliyev. On Sunday, he had a meeting with civil society representatives. In his meetings, Zannier reiterated the OSCE`s readiness to continue supporting Azerbaijan in implementing its commitments to the organization through OSCE institutions and the Office in Baku.

The visit to Azerbaijan starts the OSCE Secretary General`s first official trip to South Caucasus. Zannier will head to Georgia on Tuesday and further hold meetings in Armenia.