Elmar Mammadyarov on the results of the outgoing year

Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is not a subject for negotiations of the Karabakh conflict settlement, said in a media interview, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

"Political and legal basis of our position is the rules and principles of international law, the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and documents adopted by other international documents,"  he said.

The final statement of the NATO summit in Wales, the participating States, NATO, expressing support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, stressed that supports the settlement of the conflict in the South Caucasus on the basis of these principles.

A certain work has been done on the international recognition of the Khojaly genocide. At present, the parliaments of Colombia, Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Honduras, Peru, Panama, Pakistan, Mexico, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sudan, in 15 states of America was officially recognized the Khojaly genocide.

"Elimination of illegal activity on our occupied territories, avoiding the involvement of the foreign legal entities and individuals is the focus of the Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan," said Mamedyarov.

The OSCE Minsk Group should take the necessary practical measures to put an end to provocations of Armenia in the negotiations. So that Yerevan  could take  constructive position, and began to work on the peace agreement, the minister said.

Touching upon the Azerbaijani-Russian relations, Mammadyarov called Russia one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan.

One of the features of the Azerbaijani-Russian relations are humanitarian ties. "We are only pleased the by the intensity of mutual visits between Azerbaijan and Russia at all levels," said Mammadyarov.

Cooperation based on equality and mutual interests, form the basis of relations between Azerbaijan and European Union, then he said.

Bilateral documents signed at the Vilnius summit of the Eastern Partnership and the EU, and further work to implement them, are a major part of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU. Were encouraged by the development of relations between the business community, the expansion of tourism, in particular, the opportunities created by the signing of the Agreement on visa facilitation, partnership in the energy sector, the minister said.

At the same time Mammadyarov rejected international criticism of human rights violations in Azerbaijan. "Unfortunately, some circles, turning human rights into a tool of foreign policy, is committed to a coordinated campaign against a number of states, trying to turn this into a campaign of political pressure and slander," he said.

Concerning the relations with the United States, the minister said that they are characterized by Baku contribution to global energy security, the fight against terrorism and transnational threats, logistical, and financial support for transit operations in Afghanistan.

The United States, as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, together with Russia and France play the role of mediator in the talks on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "The United States knows how sensitive and painful is this question for the Azerbaijani society, therefore Azerbaijan expects from the United States, as well as other co-chairs, further intensify efforts for an early settlement of the conflict based on norms and principles of international law, in particular, respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, and the UN Security Council resolutions," said Mamedyarov.-06D-