Azerbaijan has always been and will be close to Turkey, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration socio-political department headAli Hasanovtold journalists today.
“On the day of adoption of a resolution recognizing the so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ by the U.S. Congress Committee, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev phoned his Turkish Counterpart Abdullah Gul to note that Azerbaijan will always support Turkey. TheU.SHouse of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee’s decision is also directed against Azerbaijan. Then, the Presidential Administration, Foreign Ministry and the parliament made statements pointing out that if it continues, we will suspend relations with the U.S. Congress. What else can be support?” Hasanov said.
TheU.S. House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee adopted 23 votes to 22 a resolution recognizing the so-called “Armenian genocide” March 4. Voting does not mean the final adoption of the resolution, as the document will be submitted to the House of Representatives as a whole. Date of general vote on the resolution has not yet been appointed.
Hasanov said that the Congress received a letters and appeals from the Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations around the world.
“In Turkey, some forces try to represent the wrong information to the country’s ruling circles about that no Azerbaijani organization supported Turkey in certain issues. No the support of any Azerbaijani organization, but the state support is important. The Azerbaijani people and the government supported Turkey and this is important,” Hasanov said.
Azerbaijan wants to see Turkey in OSCE Minsk Group
Stating that Azerbaijan wants to see Turkey in OSCE Minsk Group, Hasanov said, “Turkey’s joining the OSCE Minsk Group, mediating in resolving of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, is on the agenda.But only the OSCE can evaluate the proposals.”
“This is the OSCE institution. The organization itself determines the number of states in its structure. If there is any dissatisfaction on this issue at the OSCE next summit, Azerbaijan, of course, can voice its opinion. There is increasing concern over the lack of significant results of the Institute of co-chairmen [the OSCE Minsk Group] in recent years not only in Europe but all over the world,” Hasanov said.
Hasanov expressed his attitude to Armenia’s protest against Turkey’s joining the OSCE Minsk Group. “The Armenian Foreign Ministry does not understand itself what it is doing. Neither the president nor Foreign Minister of this country act on their own,” he said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group — Russia, France, and the U.S. — are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.
Hasanov said that Azerbaijan is not authorized to review activity or determine the composition of the Minsk Group.
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