Remarks With Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Baku, Azerbaijan
June 6, 2012
FOREIGN MINISTER MAMMADYAROV:
Welcome for those who are from the foreign press to Azerbaijan. I am
really happy to greet Secretary of State Madam Hillary Clinton to
Azerbaijan precisely on the days when we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of establishing of our bilateral relations. On the 25th
of December of ’91, the United States recognized the independence and –
of Azerbaijan, and through these years, we managed to establish a
strong partnership and strategic cooperation in various fields, fields
like energy, fields like security cooperation, combating terrorism, drug
trafficking, humanitarian cooperation, and so on.
Today we have very, very interesting and very, very intensive
discussion. I am really happy that Secretary – Madam Secretary is coming
to Azerbaijan for the second time within no less than two years. The
last time it was on the 4th of July celebrating the independence of the United States here in Baku.
And one of the major priorities of today’s discussion was, of course,
resolution of the Armenia and Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
There was a few ideas which were sounded with (inaudible) with Madam
Secretary as one of the co-chair of the Minsk Group, where we’re
standing and how we can make an appropriate steps to reach the
breakthrough on the issue of settlement.
As I already told yesterday to our media, on the 18th of
this month we are planning to have a meeting with Armenia – my Armenian
counterpart in Paris together with the co-chairs. And again, that’s
trying to bring the impetus to reaching more sooner a breakthrough in
regard to this very longstanding conflict.
We also discussed the issue of Afghanistan, where our soldiers are
shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers from United States of America,
from the alliance trying to strengthening and building peace. Energy
issue was an issue of another very, very interesting discussion, and
regional issues as well.
So in two words summarizing what I said, Azerbaijan is firm and we
are recognizing that with all the support which is extended to us by
international community and particularly by United States, we’ll move
forward on the path of being a more secular Muslim state, and that’s how
we see our future on the globe.
And now, Madam Secretary, if you can, the floor is yours.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Foreign Minister, and I
am very glad to return to Azerbaijan for my second visit as Secretary of
State. It’s especially good to be here after the Eurovision crowds have
departed. But for me, it’s a great opportunity to once again highlight
the relationship that we’ve had between our two countries for the last
20 years. Our nations have been steadily strengthening the bonds between
our governments, our businesses, and our people.
In my meetings with the president and the foreign minister today, we
focused on three key areas: security, energy, and democratic reform. On
security, I reiterated my appreciation for Azerbaijan’s past
contributions in Iraq and Kosovo and its vital ongoing work in
Afghanistan. Azerbaijan is essential to the transportation of troops and
nonlethal supplies that support the international effort in
Afghanistan. Today, we discussed the continuing important role of the
Northern Distribution Network and the importance of supporting the
Afghan people after 2014 when they transition to full responsibility for
security.
We also had in-depth discussions about Nagorno-Karabakh, including
the most recent incidents and deaths along the border between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. As I said earlier this week in Yerevan, I am deeply
concerned about the danger of escalating tension, which could have
unpredictable and disastrous consequences. This cycle of violence and
retaliation must end, and everyone should work to keep the peace and
comply with the obligations under the 1994 ceasefire agreement. I have
stressed to President Aliyev that the United States is prepared to do
whatever we can to help reach a settlement based upon the principles of
the Helsinki Final Act. And I have asked the president, as I have asked
the president of Armenia, to work together to exercise restraint and to
take the steps necessary for peace, not conflict.
Regarding energy, the United States works closely with Azerbaijan on
energy security. It is a common strategic interest for both countries
and one of the great global challenges of our time. Today, I briefly
visited the 19th annual Caspian Oil & Gas Show, and I
conveyed to the president and foreign minister our great appreciation
for the central role that Azerbaijan plays in efforts to diversify
supplies of oil and gas as well as the routes over which they are
transported. The United States supports Azerbaijan’s goal of
establishing a southern corridor for natural gas exports to Europe, a
crucial link that will solidify Azerbaijan’s ties to the Euro-Atlantic
community. And I look forward to even deeper cooperation in this area.
Finally, the president and foreign minister and I spoke about the
importance of fostering a vibrant civil society, embracing and
furthering democratic reforms, which will add greatly to the long-term
success and prosperity of Azerbaijan. The United States remains strongly
committed to working with the government and people to advance respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms. And we, as we always do, urge
the government to respect their citizens’ right to express views
peacefully, to release those who have been detained for doing so in
print or on the streets or for defending human rights.
I commend the president and the government for the release on parole
of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, whom I had a chance to see earlier today. And I
hope he and all who are members of civil society in Azerbaijan continue
their work, which is really work that strengthens society, strengthens
the opportunities for Azerbaijan to become an even stronger and greater
country, because we believe that countries that flourish in the 21st century will be those that respect the rule of law, freedom of the press, freedom of expression, other universal rights.
I also had the opportunity to discuss the progress that is being made
with a group of civil society leaders, and we stand ready to help
Azerbaijan on this important journey.
For 20 years the United States and Azerbaijan have been working to
build a constructive, comprehensive relationship that benefits the
people of this country and the larger region. There’s been a lot of
progress made in 20 years. One only has to open one’s eyes to see the
progress that has occurred. But we need to go further. I have great
confidence that Azerbaijan can both continue the path of economic
prosperity and continue on a path toward political reform.
And Mr. Minister Elmar, I thank you again for another productive visit.
FOREIGN MINISTER MAMMADYAROV: Thank you very much. Now, Madam Secretary kindly agreed to pick up our questions, I mean answers.
MODERATOR: Yes.
QUESTION: (Off mike.)
QUESTION: One question for you each, if I may. Madam
Secretary, on Syria, there’s been increasing talk from Russia and UN
officials of setting up a new contact group, of creating or organizing a
new conference of states to push forward a plan, and that this
conference could include Russia or even UN. What do you think about such
an approach, and what will your talks this evening in Istanbul be
about?
Mr. Foreign Minister, we’ve all seen the tremendous wealth in your
country and its progress, but recently the State Department issued its
Annual Human Rights Report and offered some harsh criticism of the
government’s human rights record, notably on freedom of expression. When
will your government be able to offer its citizens the full respect for
human rights that they deserve?
Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first with regard to Syria, as you
know, I’ve been stressing that it’s time for all of us to turn our
attention to an orderly transition of power in Syria that paves the way
for a democratic, tolerant, pluralistic future. It’s clear that
President Assad cannot and has failed to bring peace, stability, or
positive change to the Syrian people, and in fact has worked against all
three.
So tonight in Istanbul, I will meet with some of our most concerned
and active partners to assess where we are, to determine what steps we
can take together. The work is continuing on sanctions. In fact the
Friends of the Syrian People sanctions implementation group is meeting
in Washington today and coordinating on new sanctions measures and
closing loopholes on the existing regime. We will look for additional
measures that we can take to pressure Assad and alleviate suffering. And
we’ll also discuss this evening the essential elements of a democratic
transition strategy.
Then I will see Kofi Annan in Washington on Friday to discuss next
steps, including our shared efforts to encourage Russia and China to use
their influence to end the bloodshed and work with the international
community in promoting a transition. Until I’ve had those meetings and
heard the opinions of those most directly involved, I won’t prejudge
whether we will hold a conference and who would be invited to the
conference. It’s a little hard to imagine inviting a country that is
stage-managing the Assad regime’s assault on its people.
So we will have more to say as we move forward.
FOREIGN MINISTER MAMMADYAROV: Thank you
very much, by the way, that you recognize that the wealth is coming to
Azerbaijan. (Laughter.) We are on the way. We’re just in the beginning
of this.
But you just asked me about the Human Rights Report. Of course, I
always responded to this question that the human rights cannot come
within a night. It’s a generational issue. It’s a process, and the most
important to be inside of the process.
I believe – and I strongly believe – that Azerbaijan is doing a lot
for building up more stronger civil society, more stronger respect of
human rights, and building up strong with the rule of law. Human Rights
Reports issued by State Department – as a person who used to work in the
United States for years, I can tell you that there is a lot of
criticism, not regarding Azerbaijan, but the other countries as well.
And we understand that there is no angels in the world. But it means
that we are in the process. We’re doing our best, and we want to be
better and better for sure.
Thank you.
MODERATOR: Victoria.
QUESTION: Thank you. AP News Agency. My question will be to
Secretary Clinton. Just few hours after you had visited Yerevan and
expressed your concern about the incident on the contact line and have
called the both parties to refrain the use of force, the Armenians
subversive groups tried to enter the Azerbaijani armed force line, and
as a result, five soldiers were killed. And by the way, it’s not the
first time during your previous visit to the region the same – the very
similar military incident took place. So how do you perceive this fact?
Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: I’m very sad about it. As you know, I’m
sure, when I arrived in Yerevan, there had been three Armenians killed,
and I heard exactly the same concerns about that as I heard today in
Azerbaijan. It is painful to think about these young soldiers or anyone
being killed, and there’s no military solution to this conflict. We
mourn the senseless deaths of Azerbaijani and Armenian alike. And we
should honor their deaths by recommitting ourselves to peace and doing
everything we can, as quickly as possible, to pursue a path towards
peace.
There will be a meeting in about, I guess, two weeks between the two
foreign ministers who will meet with the Minsk co-chairs. And we will
explore some new approaches that I have had the opportunity to discuss
with the foreign ministers and with the presidents, because there has to
be a solution.
It’s the year 2012. It is past time that we resolved this issue, and
I’m going to do everything I can – and I’ve pledged that to both
presidents – to help facilitate a resolution and the end of the deaths
of anyone around this tragic situation. Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER MAMMADYAROV: Thank you.
