President Ilham Aliyev expects new proposals from the OSCE Minsk Group to be in line with the post-conflict development in the region, said Farid Shafiyev, Azerbaijani political expert.

Speaking to Eurasia Diary, Farid Shafiyev, the chairman of Center of Analysis of International Relations, Baku-based think-tank, made comments on President Ilham Aliyev’s speech on the OSCE Minsk Group.

It should be noted that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the videoconference discussions of Nizami Ganjavi International Centre on “South Caucasus: Prospects for Regional Development and Cooperation,” held on 20 May.

During discussions, President Ilham Aliyev talked about the post-Karabakh conflict period in the South Caucasus.

In his speech, he touched upon the future activity of the OSCE Minsk Group.

President said that he expects new proposals from the OSCE Minsk Group for the development of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“I have mentioned in the meeting with the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group that I expect new proposals from them. That is why I think currently, this organization is looking for new proposals. New proposals can be put forward for the normalization of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and for the people of both countries to live together”, President Ilham Aliyev said.

According to F.Shafiyev, President expects new efforts from the OSCE Minsk Group serving in favor of the post-conflict development in the region.

“The President repeatedly said recently that he expects new proposals from the OSCE Minsk Group, but he expects those proposals to be in line with post-conflict development,” Shafiyev said.

Expert pointed out that the Co-chairs of the Minsk Group can work on the treaty on the establishment of peace and cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which should be based on the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries.   

“The MG Co-chairs can help in drafting a new peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty to promote economic cooperation and reconciliation. This is what the President said,” he noted.

Touching upon the further activity of the OSCE Minsk Group in the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, F.Shafiyev said that  the Co-chairs of the Minsk Group again want to return to the Madrid Principles.  

“Unfortunately, we see so far that MG Co-chairs attempts to revive the old Madrid principles, which became irrelevant after the Second Karabakh War. Azerbaijan is not going to discuss the status of Armenians in Karabakh. The only way forward is the territorial integrity of the two states. Based on that, the MG can help in security, economic and humanitarian issues to promote peace in the region,” he added.

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