ANKARA - Unfavorable incidents might erupt due to Upper Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia which was a threat for the entire region, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Thursday.
Aliyev, who is paying an official visit to Turkey, told reporters that the most important problem for Azerbaijan was the Upper Karabakh dispute.
His country did not have any other problems, Aliyev stated.
Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan had good political, economic and cultural relations and said that there was regional stability.
''There is stability in the region. Life standards of people are increasing each passing day. Salaries, pension fund and wages given by our state are increasing every day. Our budget increased by 20 percent last year. We also expect the same rise in the following year. Azerbaijan has big oil and gas resources. These will enter into world markets in 2005. Our economy will further develop by 2005 and 2006. Our country is developing day by day of course if domestic stability continues. This is obligatory for us. But, the Upper Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a threat for the region. Unfavorable incidents may erupt there at any moment. Economic differences between Azerbaijan and Armenia are increasing. Armenian economy is not at a good level. People are emigrating from Armenia. Unless there is regional cooperation, there is not any economic hope for the future. Its electricity and gas networks are owned by Russian companies. There is not any foreign capital or domestic investments. Armenia should withdraw from occupied lands in order for us to meet Armenian officials,'' Aliyev said.
Asked about the conditions of beginning of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Aliyev said, ''Upper Karabakh is a land of Azerbaijan. All lands under occupation including Upper Karabakh is an indispensable part of Azerbaijan. We are positive towards a gradual transition for settlement of this issue. What is Armenia's demand? It wants Upper Karabakh to be given independence or to be considered a separate state or unite with Armenia. Of course, this can't be possible because Azerbaijan will not consent to such demands. We are telling them to approach this issue step by step. Armenian army should withdraw from seven regions around Upper Karabakh. Then, all roads will be open and thus, relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be normalized. Then, we can start negotiations on status of Upper Karabakh. We are pleased with close interest of international organizations in solution of these regional problems.''
Asked if model they proposed for Upper Karabakh was an autonomous administration or a federative system, Aliyev said, ''it can be an autonomous republic. There are autonomous republics in several places in the world like Caucasus, Europe and other regions. There are also national minorities. It doesn't mean that minorities will stage separatist movements. For example, Armenians can live in Georgia. Their number is almost more than 300 thousand. They can live in other countries. So what? Will those countries take place in the Republic of Armenia? This is illogical. Therefore, Armenia should give up its ''Great Armenia'' dream. It is a big mistake for Armenia, which has serious political and economic problems, to intervene in internal affairs of other countries.''
Aliyev came to Turkey for an official visit on Tuesday. Azerbaijani President Aliyev was welcomed by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer by an official ceremony the same day.
Turkey would exert every effort for a peaceful solution of Upper Karabakh dispute, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer told on Tuesday in joint press conference with Aliyev after holding tete-a-tete meeting and chairing meeting between Turkish and Azerbaijani delegations.
There were not any problems between Azerbaijan and Turkey, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his joint press conference with Sezer.
Prior to their joint press conference, Sezer and Aliyev signed joint statement between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Turkish and Azerbaijani officials signed a cooperation protocol on civil aviation, cultural cooperation protocol, agreement on protection of industrial ownership, agreement on cooperation in customs, agreement on long-term economic cooperation.
In a joint statement released at the end of the meeting between Sezer and Aliyev, Turkey and Azerbaijan expressed pleasure with efficient continuation of their strategic cooperation.
In the joint statement, Turkey and Azerbaijan once more stressed that Upper Karabakh dispute should be solved peacefully without losing more time within the framework of basic and indispensable principles like international law, sovereignty of states, respect to territorial integrity, and immunity of borders.
Turkey and Azerbaijan once more demanded that Armenia should withdraw from the Azerbaijani lands it had occupied, and that refugees should be enabled to return to their homeland, the statement said.
''Two countries have once more demand that Armenia should withdraw from Azerbaijani lands which it occupied, and that refugees should be enabled to return to their homeland. Turkey and Azerbaijan have once more stressed the need to solve Upper Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia, one of the main reasons which obstructed lasting peace and stability in South Caucasus, through peaceful means and without losing more time in line with basic and indispensable principles like international law, sovereignty of states, respect to territorial integrity and immunity of border,'' the statement said.
Sezer hosted dinner in honor of Aliyev on Tuesday evening.
Aliyev visited Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and met with Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Wednesday. He also addressed Turkish deputies at the parliament the same day.
In his speech at Turkish parliament, Aliyev said, ''Azerbaijan recognizes territorial integrity of the other countries. Recognition of our territorial integrity is our rightful request. The Upper Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan and will belong to us in the future.''
(BRC-AY) 15.04.2004