`Baku does not recognize visits from Azerbaijan to occupied territories of Georgia, Ukraine`

  15 December 2016    Read: 1204
`Baku does not recognize visits from Azerbaijan to occupied territories of Georgia, Ukraine`
Baku does not unequivocally recognize visits made from Azerbaijan to the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
He made the remarks at an opening of the 9th session of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly in Baku Dec. 15.

Azerbaijan has made numerous statements on the violation of the territorial integrity of GUAM countries, the FM recalled, noting that Azerbaijan, in compliance with the requirements of international law, recognizes the borders of the countries within their territorial integrity.

“Azerbaijan has demonstrated this position in regard with both Georgia and Ukraine,” said Mammadyarov. “We don’t recognize any illegal visit from Azerbaijan to the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine. Four GUAM countries should mutually comply with this principle. We will raise this issue in international events as well. It is a real policy.”

“In some cases, Ukraine and Georgia turn a blind eye to illegal visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. However, Azerbaijan’s position on this issue is clear. Azerbaijan does not allow any illegal visit to the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine,” he added.

Mammadyarov underlined the importance of cooperation between GUAM and international organizations.

“It is gratifying. We will discuss these issues, and the GUAM Secretariat will develop a "road map". GUAM cooperates with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other agencies,” he said. “We demanded during the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Hamburg that not only the migrant problem but also the issue of IDPs and refugees also be mentioned in the statements.”

The Azerbaijani FM noted that the issues of energy security, international transport corridor, and multiculturalism are of huge importance to GUAM countries.

At the same time, there is a need to pay special pay attention to economic and regional security issues, he added.

As you know, the UN General Assembly has a special item on conflicts, according to the minister.

“Therefore, we always raise issues referring to that item before the UN about the conflict faced by us because in each of GUAM countries there are conflicts that threaten their territorial integrity. We’re faced with the problems of border violation, territorial integrity, and refugees. We have made a joint statement in this respect. In today’s session which we are hosting now, we’ll make a special statement on IDPs. I think it’s very essential that GUAM states take joint steps about such problems,” Mammadyarov concluded.

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