Elmar Mammadyarov: We have to decide ourselves what will be the status of the OSCE Office

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov in an interview with "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" touched the Russian-Azerbaijani relations and the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

Can you talk about the deterioration of bilateral relations after the failure to extend the term of leasing of the Gabala radar station, and terminate the contract on pumping Azerbaijani oil through the Baku-Novorossysik?

Mammadyarov answered that he had spent with Lavrov constructive exchange of views. "The reason for the termination of these treaties is the economic," he said. Then Foreign Minister accused the OSCE of double standards.

"They always talk about the rule of law, but then opposed the changes by  Azerbaijan status of  their office, despite the fact that we, as owners, decide what will  be  the level of the OSCE office," he said.

In the work of the OSCE in our region, we face with double standards, complained Mamedyarov.

On the question on the Karabakh, he replied that it is necessary to increase efforts by three times to break the vicious circle in which there are.

It was  clear that  an aggravating element is the presence of the Armenian armed forces on the territory of Azerbaijan,  we do not touch  Karabakh , knowing that there is a status problem. But until the issue of status, we must eliminate complexities  in the negotiation  process. In this case, the presence of Armenian forces on the territory of Azerbaijan.

What is the essence of the Madrid principles, around which there are negotiations? We should return  with fixed date  the return of  seven  regions around Nagorno-Karabakh,  and in exchange the Armenian party  will receive  security guarantees, the temporary status of Karabakh. Plus, the economic development, the return of refugees, opening communication, resumption of normal  sustaining life.

And to do it gradually, with the understanding that it is necessary to determine the status of Karabakh, and resolve the issue with the Armenian side, Mammadyarov said.

The tension on the contact line is growing and will continue to be a crisis. Because the gap between the two countries increases. "I do not want military actions," said Mammadyarov.

Asking the question if Azerbaijan is interested  in being involved in the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan, the minister said that the troops  will reach Baku  by air, and then by rail to Georgia or Turkey.

Can  there appear naval base of the United States in the Caspian Sea? The Minister answered that, under the legislation of Azerbaijan, the presence of foreign military bases on the territory of the country is excluded.

Speaking  about military ties with Israel, he said that Azerbaijan is always striving to build a policy based on its own national interests. I would not say that we have difficulty with Iran. If you do not talk about the individual statements of some mullahs who accompanied my visit to Israel. The other day, I had a friendly conversation with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi. He invited me to a conference in Tehran, but, unfortunately, I can not go," said the Minister. -02D-