Question: Mister Kocharian, an official from the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan accused Armenia for permanent destructive position, mentioning that there little alterations in Armenia’s position in Sochi. What is your comment on that statement?

Answer: We have no need to change our position, as the Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister stated in the OSCE Permanent Council held in Vienna on March 3, Armenia had said “Yes” to the Madrid Proposals.

A few of weeks before that statement, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, addressing a speech in the OSCE Council, called on the sides to say clearly “Yes” to the recent Proposals without any reservations and changes. As Armenia had already said “Yes” to the Proposals, it is obvious that the Co-Chairs expected from Azerbaijan a change in its position and a clear “Yes”.

Had Azerbaijan said “Yes” during the last meeting without any reservations, it would be an evident step forward in the negotiation process and a corresponding statement would have been made in Sochi in addition to the statement made by the three Presidents in Sochi on the practical implementation of Astrakhan Declaration made on October 27, last year. It is time for Baku to change its so called “constructive” position into a constructive position without any quotes.

If the Azeri version sees the sabre-rattling and masterminding of provocations on the line of contact as an “extremely fair longing to settle the conflict through peaceful means”, it becomes clear why after the signing of Maindorf Declaration the Azerbaijani authorities stated that the peaceful settlement does not mean a commitment to non-use of force. The Sochi statement where it is clearly noted that the sides should intend to solve all the disputes peacefully, according to Azerbaijani interpretation that does not means  a guarantee for peace.

No comments!