I.Aliyev: "The negotiation process has been given a new impetus"

Baku / 30.03.19 / Turan: The format of the negotiation process with Armenia remains unchanged, butthere is progress in the negotiations. This was stated on Friday by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

"The negotiation process should also be supported by humanitarian actions. The important thing is that the format of the negotiations remained unchanged, negotiations are under way between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as it has been for many years," Aliyev quoted TASS. "The negotiation process was given a new impulse the statement of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on March 9, stating that a change in the negotiation format can be only with the consent of the two parties. "

According to him, Baku did not give consent to this. "We have returned to the situation when it is necessary to continue to conduct substantive negotiations. An instruction has been given to the foreign ministers, who are likely to meet soon in order to continue the negotiation process," Aliyev said.

"The negotiation process should be result-oriented," he said. "For Azerbaijan, the first place is the question of the de-occupation of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan within the framework of international law, the Helsinki Final Act and four UN Security Council resolutions requiring the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories ".

According to Aliyev, the talks were held in a constructive atmosphere. "We evaluate the talks positively, they were held in a constructive atmosphere. This is the first official meeting of the leadership of Azerbaijan and Armenia after a long break, the previous meetings were more exploratory in nature and were held in the framework of international events," he noted. Important because a new start has been given to the negotiation process on the substance of the issue. "

"We discussed issues related to strengthening confidence-building measures within the framework of contacts between people," Aliyev continued. "Previously, there were contacts between members of the public. That is, it"s too early to talk about this [humanitarian measures]."

Pashinyan also regards the outcome of the negotiations in Vienna as "positive." However, he noted the absence of a "breakthrough.""I appreciate the meeting in general positively. However, I cannot say that there is a breakthrough or evolution in the negotiation process," TASS quotes Pashinyan. "But the main thing was that the parties began to talk about the problems," he said and expressed the hope that President Aliyev will also assess the meeting as positive. " -06D--