I.Aliyev gives interview to Euronews

The commentary included parts of the president's interview not broadcast by Euronews.

The president said that there are great hopes for resolving the conflict peacefully.
 
Noting that the peace talks depend on two important conditions, the president said these are Armenia's compliance with international norms and the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan.

Aliyev said: "We have expectations related to the settlement of this conflict, because, as you have pointed out, the long-standing process must result in the peaceful resolution of the conflict. Our lands are under occupation for already about 20 years. Armenia violated the fundamental principles of international law. As you know, the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories. However, unfortunately, these resolutions are not implemented.

"Currently, negotiations are at the stage of completion.Various options have been considered and not adopted throughout the whole period of negotiations. And now we are discussing the Madrid principles, which may be, shall we say, the basis for settlement. But, of course, this will depend on the willingness of Armenia to withdraw its troops from the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan and to respect international law. Peace will be possible only after this. This conflict will end sooner or later. Our citizens must return to their homes. But we want to do this as soon as possible, because our people have been looking forward this for many years."
 
The president said that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is the main principle fixed in the mediators’ proposals, AzTV's Ibrahim Mammadov commented. The president said the other principles are: territorial integrity; the non-use of force; and self-determination of peoples.

The president said that territorial integrity and self-determination are not mutually contradictory.

President Ilham Aliyev said, "I am optimistic about the 2010 activities of the leading countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at resolving the conflict. It gives grounds for optimism. At the same time, as I have noted, the proposals we are considering at present are based on the fundamental principles of international law. They are based on the principles of territorial integrity of countries, non-use of force and self-government of peoples. These principles do not contradict each other, because the principle of self-government can be achieved within the framework of territorial integrity.

"We are optimistic in this sense. However, to turn that optimism into real results, the Armenian side should demonstrate realism and constructivism and withdraw from our lands which it has been illegally occupying for many years."

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