Aliyev: Negotiations on the Karabakh Settlement Stagnates

In terms of settlement of the Karabakh conflict in 2012, showed negative results. This opinion was expressed by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in an interview with Russia-24 TV.

 "I appreciate the results of this year as negative, because this year's negotiations entered a stage of stagnation. And the main reason is that the Armenian side wants all sorts of means to stake out the status quo. They do not want a settlement because the settlement involves de-occupation," said Aliyev.

Under occupation is not only Nagorno-Karabakh, but also seven districts that were never included in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and where the Armenian population never lived, he said.

However, Aliyev praised the leaders of the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the United States, that the status quo is unacceptable. "In order to change the status quo, it is necessary to begin de-occupation of Azerbaijani territory. Once this process begins, I am sure that the negotiation process will be given a new impetus," said Aliyev.

Aliyev expressed his attitude to charges against Azerbaijan's reluctance to strengthen confidence. Without a solution or advance in the essence of the negotiation process, de-occupation, no other measures seem more important. "The main thing is mediators should actively work on the nature of the negotiation process," he said.

"The status quo, no matter how hard it is for us, is just as dangerous for Armenia. After 5-10 years, the situation in Armenia will be even more difficult than it is. To be at odds with Azerbaijan and to keep our lands under occupation will be difficult and dangerous for them. If they want those who now live in Nagorno-Karabakh, to live there in peace and security further, they have to begin the process of withdrawal of the occupation forces from our territory," said Aliyev. -06D-