Comments by Hikmat Hajiyev, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the press-release issued by the OSCE’s Minsk Group Co-chairs dated January 22, 2016
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its stance by statement dated November 10, 2015 on the position of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs with regard to the reports of PACE Committees on the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia, and the resolutions which are expected to be adopted at the PACE’s winter session.
By the statement dated January 22, 2016 OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ interference to the activity of other international organizations, which intend to contribute to the settlement of the conflict and sovereign right of a state, which appeals to the international institution on the issue of serious concern, undermines honesty of its mediation efforts, its credibility and confidence entrusted on them.
OSCE’ Minsk Group Co-chairs has so far failed to fulfill the mandate entrusted by the UN Security Council and within the period of more than 20 years OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs did not yield any progress in the resolution of the conflict. Thus, military occupation of territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan by Armenia continues, furthermore nothing has been done for ensuring a safe return of refugees and IDPs to their places of origin. The main causes for that are related with conciliatory attitude of the OSCE Minsk Group to the continuous occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories by Armenia.
OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs has no ground for presenting themselves as a monopolist of the negotiation process. According to its mandate, OSCE’s Co-chairs should take into account the demands of the UN Security Council’s resolutions namely, 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993), 884 (1993), as well as the documents of other international institutions.
Panic state of Armenia with regard to the resolutions on the agenda of PACE’s the winter session on the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is yet another indication to what extend official Yerevan is afraid of fair and just position of international community on the settlement of conflict.
It once again proves that by imitating continuation of negotiation process with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, Armenia aims at maintaining the current status quo based on occupation and aggression.
In accordance with norms and principles of international law, the Republic of Azerbaijan commends goodwill intentions and contributions of all international organizations to put an end to the Armenian aggression and occupation against Azerbaijan, and restoration of sustainable peace and stability in the region. Azerbaijan will continue its activities in all relevant international organizations in this regard.