Interview with Professor Farhad Badalbayli, national artist of USSR, member of Public Union “Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan” and rector of Baku Music Academy.
Q: Does the Azerbaijani community of Karabakh plan to make a new effort to hold a meeting with the Armenian side?
A: As you know, the Armenian community of Karabakh refused to meet with us at the end of the last year. The refusal was of course linked with the pressure of separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh. Nonetheless, we insist on holding the meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Karabakh.
We plan to hold such meeting in February-March in Russia and then the US. But anyway, the realization of this meeting in some extent depends on embassies. The diplomatic representations are negotiating with the Russian State Duma and US Congress to hold this meeting at high organizational level.
Q: What issues does the Azerbaijani community of Karabakh intend to put forth during this meetings?
A: We intend to hold the meetings at the US Senate and Congress and thus announce the position of the Azerbaijani community in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. In this case, even if the Armenian community avoids the meetings, we will anyway have opportunity to voice our position. And position is to tell the world community the truth that Azerbaijanis want to normally and jointly live with Armenians in Karabakh. However, as you know, the Armenian side so far rejects this proposal. With this, the Azerbaijani side, on the one hand, tells its intentions for joint coexistence with Armenians to the world community and on the other hand, we manage to realize our own propaganda.
Q: Can such meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Karabakh establish a trust relationship between them?
A: Definitely yes, since, the Armenian side also has figures who understand the importance of joint coexistence of these communities. They understand that sooner or later the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia should end and the communities should find a way for the cohabitation. Of course the Armenian side as the first step should release the occupied territories. Without it, it will be difficult to manage the dialogue between them.
Q: Can the intercommunity dialogue positively effect on the negotiation process between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents?
A: As to the Azerbaijani president, I think that he will consider the opinion of the communities and as to the Armenian president I doubt that he will listen to their opinions. Besides, the Armenian authorities, as well as the separatist regime don’t enable the Armenian population of the region to form normal relations with Azerbaijanis.
So, the Armenian community abstained from getting into dialogue with Azerbaijanis, since the Armenian national party ‘Dashnaksutyun’ openly threatens those who act against their ideology. Therefore, I understand those Armenians who are afraid for themselves and their families. I once again note that I don’t expect Serzh Sargsyan to take positive measures, since he dipped his hands into the blood of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly city. He is doing his utmost to prevent the dialogue between Azerbaijani and Armenian communities.
Q: What proposals do you think the Azerbaijani community can put forth so that the Armenian community refused from the separatist demands?
A: The main ‘trump’ in the hands of the Azerbaijani side is the accelerated development of Azerbaijan, which can the Armenian side benefit from in full scale. To this end, we intent to explain the Armenian side that they can also get advantage of the economic benefits of Azerbaijan. The population in Karabakh lives in hard economic conditions and therefore, we want them to know that they, as citizens of Azerbaijan, can get a share from the economic potential of the country. This fact is of great importance for the Armenian community of Karabakh.
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