Who Said What at Sochi: Aliyev Demands Unconditional Withdrawal of Armenian Occupiers; Sargsyan Speaks of Peaceful Settlement Via Mutual Concessions and Minsk Group Principles
Regarding today’s meeting between the presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi, President Serzh Sargsyan’s office issued a statement, of which the following are translated excerpted passages.
Russian President Vladimir Putin:
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to speak about bilateral relations both with the president of Armenia and with the president of Azerbaijan. In the evening we also had non-official contact. Of course, thank God, yesterday evening we did not reflect on practical matters. But, nevertheless, we had a chance to speak to each other on various topics.
In my opinion, that creates certain in order to speak about the most difficult issues linked to regional settlement. Naturally, there exists a resolution of these issues, international formats for the Karabakh settlement, and, doubtlessly, we treat with respect all those international formuformats and we will continue to work with our partners.
But, given the special and unique relations that exist between us, such a deep historical background that allows us to exchange thoughts openly about where we are and what we must do in order to move forward in the direction of resolving the problems that have reached us from the past. In any event, it seems to me that this is useful.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev:
As we discussed yesterday, this question demands its resolution. It has dragged out for too long. I hope that your personal engagement in this process will imbue a new impetus to the negotiation process.
As you noted, there already exists a negotiations process. There is also a legal conflict settlement foundation. The U.N. Security Council has adopted four resolutions that demand the unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Armenian occupation forces from Azerbaijani territory. Sadly, more than twenty years have passed and those resolutions remain on paper.
The Minsk Group, in the person of the co-chairs, is working and trying to bring the sides closer but this isn’t working so well. Thus, I believe that Russia, as our close friend, partner and neighbor, has, of course, a special role to play in the settlement process.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan:
We believe that this problem indeed can be resolved. It must be resolved on a basis of mutual concessions and principles that the Minsk Group co-chairs have proposed to us.
Azerbaijan constantly speaks about the four U.N. resolutions. But here is a rhetorical question Mr. Aliyev – what point of those principles has Azerbaijan executed? It is only Armenia that has carried out points of these resolutions, that has used its influence in order to halt military operations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
I am glad to see that the president of Azerbaijan has focused attention on the necessity of a peaceful settlement of the problem. This, in fact, is the most important, since there is nothing more tragic than the death of people.
Nevertheless, we must start from the fact the conflict situation took shape long ago; it reached us from the past. It can be said and must be said, as the inheritance of the Soviet Union, and we must display patience, thoughtfulness and mutual respect in order to find a solution.
Doubtlessly, every complex situation can be resolved if there is a display of goodwill. I believe that such goodwill exists in the Azerbaijani people and the Armenian people.
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