"WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE"

Events surrounding the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan and Armenia-Turkey relations may give rise to unpredictable developments in the region. The South Caucasus is being pushed in this direction by an Armenian side that has actually rejected the so-called Madrid principles for settlement of the Karabakh conflict, which, in turn, has led to the failure of the attempt to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations. Both these factors are the result of Armenia's destructive policy, which is incompatible with regional peace. In this situation Azerbaijan is once again presenting its peaceable disposition and a sincere desire to solve the conflict, achieve stability and comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation in the region. 

At the same time, Baku makes it clear that it will not tolerate the maintenance, under cover of the negotiating process, of "the reality" of the Armenian occupation of Nagornyy Karabakh and districts around it.

Key points of the Azerbaijani policy were clearly highlighted at the meeting that President Ilham Aliyev, the country's commander-in-chief, held at the Defence Ministry. He confirmed that certain hopes had arisen in the new stage of negotiations, with mediation by the OSCE Minsk Group.  

"Issues, that were impossible to agree on at one time, have been agreed. The Madrid principles which were the result of this collective activity, and renewed proposals submitted to the sides on the basis of these principles, may create a basis for solving the issue," said President Aliyev. He reiterated that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan had never been and would not be a subject of discussion. The only option for settling the conflict is the withdrawal of Armenian troops from all the occupied territories with a consequent restoration of communications, the return of refugees to their homes and the coexistence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis in Nagornyy Karabakh, which would be granted the highest autonomy within the Azerbaijani state.

The peace process is being impeded by Armenia, which wants to "maintain the status quo as long as possible". Ilham Aliyev, however, said that Azerbaijan "will never agree to that. We have said repeatedly that we will be involved in negotiations as long as real results are possible".  President Aliyev made it clear that Azerbaijan did not rule out a military option to solve the conflict if negotiations failed. "I would like to say again that despite Armenia's insincere behaviour, we still approach the negotiations positively. We are still waiting for Armenia's response. If the latest proposals are accepted, then work on a peace agreement may begin.  If the proposals are not accepted, then we should revise the negotiating process and Azerbaijan will doubtlessly adopt an appropriate position on the situation that develops."

Ilham Aliyev's remarks should be a clear signal to the world and to Armenia, which does not want to implement the requirements of international law. They should take into consideration the circumstances in which these remarks were made: the Azerbaijani president was holding a meeting in this format for the first time at the Defence Ministry. Yerevan should draw the appropriate conclusions, especially as President Aliyev indicated that there are great differences between Armenia and Azerbaijan in every sphere.

"Our defence spending has increased more than tenfold over the post 5-6 years. Military efficiency is high. The morale of the army and all the entire armed forces is high. A large quantity of hardware, weapons and ammunition has been bought over the past years. This process continues and that is our natural right," Aliyev said.

Proceeding from necessity and the situation that is developing in the Karabakh settlement process through Armenia's fault, Azerbaijan is open to any possibility for restoring historical justice to its land. The good will of the Azerbaijani people and of the Azerbaijani state is obvious to the whole world. The Baku summit of the world's religious leaders was further testimony.

Addressing the summit, President Ilham Aliyev said that "for centuries, representatives of various ethnic groups and faiths have lived in Azerbaijan in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood, as a family. Religious and ethnic tolerance has a long and glorious history in Azerbaijan. We are glad that Azerbaijan has recently hosted an international conference contributing to a dialogue of civilizations. Azerbaijan has contributed, and will continue to contribute, to the strengthening of inter-religion dialogue." The president stressed that a country's economic capacity is not the only measure of its strength. "Our strength is unity, the strengthening of the stability that reigns in Azerbaijan, and of religious and ethnic peace."

Azerbaijan's position here is very important in a situation in which the further fate of the Minsk process is being considered. By its actions, Azerbaijan displays its commitment to peaceful coexistence with its neighbours, to a dialogue of cultures and civilizations. In contrast, Armenia, following ethnic purges, has turned into the only mono-ethnic state in the region, and continues to make territorial claims against almost all its neighbours. Sooner or later, the world will have to take these circumstances into account. If that does not happen, Azerbaijan, which has been waiting patiently for a peaceful resolution of the conflict for almost 20 years, will not bear responsibility for the consequences.