Azerbaijan, Baku, May 14 /Trend E.Tariverdiyeva/
Like all of the steps taken by Azerbaijani foreign policy, membership in such an influential structure as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), representing 120 countries, is an important step taken in the frame of Azerbaijani foreign policy's diversification, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said in an interview with Trend on Monday.
"First and foremost I would like to note that Azerbaijan shares the principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement. Principles of organization based on respect for territorial integrity, non-aggression and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other," Abdullayev said.
He said the Non-Aligned Movement - the structure, which set a goal to restore justice in international relations, and these principles are very important and close to Azerbaijan.
In addition, getting acquainted with the history of the organization, it is possible to see that the member countries have consistently defended the principles, Abdullaev said.
Therefore, the activity within this organization is important for Azerbaijani foreign policy, he said.
"Speaking about the importance of this organization for the country, it should be noted that Azerbaijani membership in the structure, which has more than 100 member countries, noted that Azerbaijan has gained a name as a reliable partner at the international court," Abdullayev said.
According to him, the preparations for membership in an organization requires a lot of time and labor - on one hand, it is necessary to study the organization itself, on the other hand - it is necessary to establish and develop bilateral relations with member countries.
"It is also necessary to be able to make a practical contribution to the organization, member of which we are. Dynamically developing Azerbaijan firmly strengthened its relations with many countries around the world. Membership in the Non-Aligned Movement has also been a successful step," he said.
Abdullayev noted that the importance of international relations based on principles of justice is stressed in the document on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict signed in Sharm el-Sheikh and it also contains a number of important provisions to strengthen the security of the global economic and social development. Azerbaijan, contributed to the discussion of these issues, Abdullayev added.
Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement at the level of Foreign Ministers was held last week in Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt. There was a point on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in then outcome document of the meeting. The Non-Aligned Movement advocated a peaceful settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in compliance with the inviolability of internationally recognized borders. Azerbaijan became the member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
"The paragraph 382 of the final document of the Coordinating Bureau meeting of the Movement is dedicated to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. The paragraph is extremely important to us, as Azerbaijan made sure that the member states are really loyal to objectives and principles of the Movement," Abdullayev said.
As for the essence of this paragraph, 120 countries have publicly stated for the first time that there is a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Abdullayev said. Countries are also urged the parties to resolve the conflict by complying with the inviolability of borders, internationally recognized, and in accordance with the principles of sovereignty and international law, Abdullayev said.
"By making such a statement, member countries have openly stated that they do not think to put up with the results of Armenian aggression committed against a sovereign country - Azerbaijan," he said.
He said Armenia used and continues to use force, encroaching on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Azerbaijan.
"Armenia refuses to take into consideration persistent appeals of the international community and ignores the principle of the non-use of force. Armenia as a whole continues to show disrespect for the norms and principles of international law," Abdullayev said.
Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that the UN Charter, the OSCE Final Act, adopted in Helsinki, as well as the document adopted at the Bandung Conference, which reflect the basic principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, say about the inadmissibility of the use of force against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of countries.
"This principle is important to us and we try that it will be reflected in the appropriate form in all international organisations," Abdullayev said.
With regard to the activities of the Armenian side on the adoption of this paragraph, Abdullayev noted that the effectiveness of any activities is measured with result.
"I can not say that the activities of the Armenian side could create some difficulty for us. Within the Non-Aligned Movement work was carried out on this issue for several months in the Coordinating Bureau of the Movement in the United Nations headquarters in New York at the ambassadorial level. The above-mentioned paragraph was proposed by Azerbaijan," he said.
Abdullayev said Armenia tried to replace in this paragraph the term "conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan" with the words "Nagorno-Karabakh conflict", has been working to eliminate from the list of principles, which the solution of the conflict rests on, the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and the inviolability of internationally recognised borders.
Despite all the efforts and attempts of Armenia, which has an observer status in the Non-Aligned Movement, paragraph proposed by Azerbaijan was adopted unanimously without any change in Sharm al-Sheikh, Abdullayev said.
This is natural, because Azerbaijan is one of the active members of the Movement, in addition, by this fair decision Movement once again expressed its loyalty to its principles, Abdullayev believes.
"We would advise Armenia to deeper study the UN Charter and the principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement, and to act in accordance with these principles, instead of wondering how in just one year of membership in the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan achieved adoption of this paragraph, and abusing observer status for the hysterical speeches from the back benches," he said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said Azerbaijan's contribution to the Movement is made through more intensive practical cooperation with member countries.
"Azerbaijan has close political, economic and humanitarian ties with many member countries of the Movement. We provide assistance programs to many member countries of the Movement. In addition, Azerbaijan will continue to contribute to the political consultations within the Movement," Abdullayev said.