WORKS / FOREIGN POLICY / Azerbaijan - Europe

Statement of the Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev at the joint press conference with the President of Austria Thomas Klestil - July 4, 2000


Dear Mr. President!

Dear ladies and gentlemen!

Dear press representatives!

I am pleased with my official visit on the invitation of the president of Austria in Vienna. Mr. President, I thank you for the invitation and very hospitable, kindly meeting. This is main stage in development of the relations established between Austria and Azerbaijan. We estimate it highly.

Mr. President, as you marked during our today`s meeting a lot of questions were discussed face to face including, in particular the situation in the Southern Caucasus and within of this problem continuing 12 years Armenian-Azerbaijani, Mountainous Garabagh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict.

Mr. President, you know this problem well. We have met with you at the Summits of OSCE in Budapest 1994, in Lissabon 1996, in Istanbul 1999 and this question was on the agenda of these summits. I thank you for the support provided by you to the Azerbaijan in the matter of the fair decision of this question at this Summits of OSCE.

Today we have discussed this question in details with you. I have felt that you knew this problem, it troubles you also. As it is important for Austria also, that in Caucasus region, which is one of the important regions of the world, prevail peace, stability. I have told you, that Azerbaijan made more efforts in connection with this and took a lot of steps. In 1996 at that Lissabon Summit of OSCE was taken very important decision. We have tried to realize it. However, as the result of the unstructured position of Armenia could not do it.

The Minsk group of OSCE has been engaged in these questions since 1992. The Minsk group is leaded by the United States of America, Russia, and France. However in connection with that, these relations did not give necessary results, in 1999 raised a question about necessity of leading a number of direct meetings face to face with Armenian President Robert Kocharian and the Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev.

During these meetings we moved forward in certain degree. Both presidents have come to such opinion in order to settle the question it is necessary to make mutual concessions. However advance achieved in this question in 1999, unfortunately, afterwards was late in certain degree. We shall try to regulate this question by peaceful way in the future.

Mr. President, I informed you as the result of this conflict the Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percentage of the Azerbaijani territory and these territories are under occupation of Armenian armed forces. More than one million of Azerbaijanis were banished forcedly from the occupied territories, they live in their country in tents, in severe conditions, in condition of migrants. Six years ago, in 1994 between Armenia and Azerbaijan was signed agreement about cease-fire in order to settle the question by peaceful way. Now there is no war but peace did not achieve. This is vital question for Azerbaijan, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be reestablished, Armenian armed forces must be banished from our occupied territories. And Armenia must observe the international legal regulations, the principles of OSCE, more than one millions of Azerbaijanis must return to their native lands.

You must know also that everything is destroyed on the occupied territories. People, who will come back there, can return to their native lands. We do there much during several years in order to live there, and it is necessary great means on it. But we consider that if the peace will be reached, certainly, in forthcoming years by means of the world community, Council of Europe, big donors and these questions can be solved.

This year Austria carries out the duties of the chairman of the OSCE. We believe to this. In the nearest time the minister of foreign affairs Mrs. Ferrero-Valdner will arrive to our region, will be in Azerbaijan. We wait impatiently for you. We wish that in the second half year, during the chairmanship of Austria in OSCE in the decision of this question the real result would be reached.

Mr. President you are very famous statesman in Europe and in the world, possessing great respect. I wish and asked you, using your own political opportunities, would help to us in the decision of this question by peace way. We rest great hopes to Austria, President, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and to OSCE.

And at last, Mr. President I want to inform you that part of Austrian soldiers fighting at the Second World War on the side of the German army and captive by the Soviet army was delivered to Azerbaijan, and they participated in the construction of the hydroelectric power station. Forty-five men died and were buried. And until now their graves kept. I want to give you the photos of these graves. And this is their headstone. I give you information about them. I think it would be better, if the press photographers took their photos and demonstrated.