Joint Press Conference by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Ali Ahmed Karti, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Sudan
Elmar Mammadyarov: Ladies and gentlemen! First of all, I would like to congratulate you oncoming Novruz holiday.
As you may know, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Sudan, Mr. Ali Ahmed Karti is paying an official visit to Azerbaijan. Sudanese Foreign Minister had several meetings yesterday. Today, he has been received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E Mr. Ilham Aliyev.
Today at the meeting we discussed the ways of strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sudan. First of all, I may say that, Azerbaijan and Sudan maintain tight and productive political cooperation within the UN’s offices in New York and Geneva, as well as in different international organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Both countries mutually support each other. During its non-permanent membership period to the UN Security Council Azerbaijan supported Sudan on the discussions related to Sudan. In its turn, Sudan supports Azerbaijan’s position on discussions about Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh in the framework of the UN and other international organizations, as Azerbaijan’s stance is fair and based on international law.
It is very important for us to strength bilateral economic relations; Sudan is a rich country with oil, gas and gold resources. During the discussion we decided that Sudan side will present several projects for consideration. Meanwhile, we agreed to summarize for singing Agreements on “Avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to on income and capital” and “Promotion and reciprocal protection of investments”. Today we have already signed Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. We also discussed negative ongoing processes in the region, as well as in Islamic world and we came to a view that Islamic countries should try to solve the problems occurring in the Islamic World by their own, from this point of view Organization of Islamic Cooperation is the most influential platform.
In the end, I may add that it is the second visit of Sudanese Foreign Minister to Azerbaijan. We agreed to sum up the current agreement drafts as soon as possible. Likely, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan will pay an official visit to Khartoum and those documents will be signed. We will make an effort for achieving the increase of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Sudan.
Q&A session:
Question: Mr. Minister, are there any perspectives of opening of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Sudan? If so, when it will take place?
Elmar Mammadyarov: First of all, let me note that, Africa is a very important continent for Azerbaijan. As you probably know, our Embassy in Ethiopia has already started functioning. Taking the fact that the residence of the African Union is located in Addis-Ababa into account, opening of our Embassy in Ethiopia is crucial in terms of advancing cooperation with the African Union. In addition, Azerbaijan has Embassies in the Republic of South Africa, the Arab Republic of Egypt, Libya and the Kingdom of Morocco. We do have plans on opening diplomatic representatives in important African countries. Sudan is a significant country both for African region and Azerbaijan. But for establishment of the Embassy, first of all, we endeavor to strength economic-trade relations. This will provide an opportunity to establish Azerbaijan representation in the level of Embassy, Charge d’affaires or diplomatic staff. Ultimately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have pointed arguments while offering the Government the opening of Embassy. Establishment of diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan in the countries, that Azerbaijan has strong economic cooperation and increased trade turnover is very important. Opening of the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan in Khartoum is under consideration and Sudan has its Embassy in Azerbaijan.
Question: Mr. Minister, are there any updates on negotiation process on Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after the visit of co-chairs? Are there plans on holding the meetings between presidents or ministers? My second question is about Azerbaijani hostages. The process is almost stagnant. What are the next steps to move the issue forward?
Elmar Mammadyarov: Regarding the hostages, I my say that, we continue our discussions through diplomatic channels and every time during the visit of diplomatic representatives to Azerbaijan we request and demand to raise the issue within their visit to Armenia and the meeting with the President of Armenia and to resolve this issue as soon as possible, return the hostages to Azerbaijan. Beside the co chairs of OSCE Minsk Group, the deputy assistant of the US Secretary of State, Ms. Victoria Nuland has put the issue on the table during her visit to Yerevan. The issue has also been raised by the representative of the European Union at the meeting with the President of Armenia. We had also have discussions with commissioner of the European Council during the visit to Baku.Member of the British Parliament also promised to touch this issue.
I would to say that I am optimist on negotiations process, but unfortunately the latest speeches by the President and Foreign Minister of Armenia don’t allow to be optimist. They put the old arguments and issues on the table and have very aggressive rhetoric. May be it is addressed to the internal audience. Azerbaijan declares over and again that negotiations on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement should be started immediately and Co-chairs support this position. Co-chairs offered the establishment of working groups on transportation, IDP’s and etc. at their last visit to Baku. But, as far as I know, the offer was ignored by Armenia. For sure, the foremost step in resolving the conflict is withdrawal of the military forces of Armenia from occupied regions of Azerbaijan. This is the position of OSCE Co-chairs and Azerbaijan. The sooner military forces of Armenia will be withdrawn from occupied territories of Azerbaijan the sooner peace and stability will be restored in the region.
Despite this, foreign and internal policy of Azerbaijan makes its way towards sustainable development of Azerbaijan. As you may know, groundbreaking of TANAP project was held in Kars yesterday. This project is important for the region, Georgia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan as well as for Europe. Transportation of Azerbaijani gas to the European markets is in the interest of Azerbaijan and has a great significance for the development of entire region. Only after Armenia will change its policy, withdraw its forces from occupied regions of Azerbaijan Armenia could join regional and global projects. This is unambiguous. Otherwise, Armenia can’t join any projects. Thank you!