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We are living in XXI century, and Armenia and Azerbaij an are members of
international organizations, including the Council of Europe. The internation-
al community shouldn't reconcile with the occupation of the territory of one
country by another and refuse to release the occupied territories. I would like
to remind about Bratislava summit, where the foreign minister of Armenia was
participating. He said that Armenia was keeping the lands that didn't belong
to it. This is truth. This was one of the most serious and defi nite statements of
the Armenian offi
cials. If you keep something that doesn't belong to you, you
should return it. This is the only way to sett le the confl ict.
Bruce Jackson: We all agree that "frozen" confl icts are of great threat to the
stability of the region. Both presidents noted that the sett lement of the confl icts
would be of great importance in the determination of the further strategy.
Question: Sezer Dilbazoglu from Bilkend University, international relations
professor. Thank you for the wonderful and exact speeches. What are you wait-
ing from Russia in connection with the inclusion of the Black Sea region in to
the sphere of strategic interests of NATO? Already in 1990s we conducted sci-
entifi c survey and Russia was much worried that the Black Sea might have turn
into a "NATO lake". Russia was also worried about the infl uence of NATO on
the countries of the Southern Caucasus - Georgia and Azerbaij an.
The situation with Armenia is diff erent. What are you waiting from Russia
today?
Second question is connected with the regional confl ict. The confl icts are
continuing, how do you intend to solve them? The activity of the international
community seems to be ineff ective. Would Russia agree on the presence of
multi-lateral peace-keeping forces in the region? In conclusion, I would like
to note that unfortunately, the West realized the importance of the Black Sea
region very late.
Mikheil Saakashvili: First of all, I would like to note the role of Turkey. Tur-
key has never tried to use the confl icts existing in the region. On the opposite, it
was trying to play its role in the solution of confl icts. For example, the situation
in Ajaria is a very painful issue for the Turks. The Ajarian separatists have al-
ways said that there was the Kars agreement, and if the Georgian government
uses power, the Turks would enter the territory. The Turks have clearly stated
that it is the domestic problem of Georgia, and we wish Georgia has its territo-
rial integrity, and we would like to see peace and stability in Georgia, the issue
should be solved in the Georgian capital. This helped us a lot. Thus, Turkey
had very just position and didn't use any way of using the domestic inten-
sity in its favour as other countries. As to the issue connected with Russia, of
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course, we intend to integration into the Euro-Atlantic institutes. At the same
time, we don't want to break with Russia. We intend the integration to become
parallel. Russia should come to the democratization process itself.
Prior to coming here, I discussed with Mr. Putin some defi nite issues. I asked
if he had any message to the participants. I know that he didn't accept the invi-
tation. He said: no, just convey my greetings. I am conveying to you with plea-
sure his greetings, and, of course, Russia should determine its policy. This is
very diffi
cult for Russia, and it is a litt le bit dangerous to have an ironic att itude
to Russia. Along with that, Russia should realize that it builds its relations with
independent countries. They have their own interests, domestic policy, democ-
racy, population and future, and Russian should understand it. This is a witt y
process. Mutual understanding and cooperation are required here. We should
fi nd new types of integration. I think that in some cases the West is interested
in the integration with Russia. I think that Turkey could establish wonderful
balance between Russia and the West. We could also use this model and are
interested in using multi-national peace-keeping forces. We have been asking
for it a long time, but the western countries can't have suffi
cient infl uence on
this issue. Russia considers that it might solve all the problems alone. How-
ever, everything is diff erent nowadays. For example, as you might be aware,
the Russian generals serving in the territory of Georgia were involved in con-
traband. The local police began to act. The Russian general said: we are giving
you 6 hours to take out the local police post, or we will liquidate it. Then, we
directed our militaries to this territory by a military helicopter and said: if you
can, liquidate them, but we aren't small children you treat us like. The reaction
of Moscow was the following: let the general not do anything and obey. Thus,
everything is changing, and it is not easy to use the old games all the time. We
should take serious political decisions and learn new rules of the game.
Question: Director of the European and international learning center in Kiev.
I have two questions: the fi rst question is to the presidents. Why did not you
mention anything about GUUAM in your speeches? Second question to Mr.
Saakashvili and minister Joane. What is the role of Ukraine in the new policy
of neighborhood and the Black Sea region in the coming 5-10 years?
Bruce Jackson: Let's listen to the rest of the questions and then answer to
them.
Question: My fi rst question is to President Saakashvili and President Aliyev.
There is an idea that Georgia and Azerbaij an will become the main consumers
of security. At present, Georgia and Azerbaij an are considered parties ensuring
the security. What do you think about it? Will the admission of your countries
in NATO contribute to security?
AZERBAIJ AN – NATO: ROAD BEGINNING FROM PARTNERSHIP
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