Dear Mr. Chairman!

Dear colleagues!

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We attach a great importance to the realization of the last summit at this century of OSCE in majestic Istanbul, one of the largest centers of world civilization. I express a special gratitude for hospitality and the excellent organization of this meeting to His Excellency the President of Turkish Republic Mr. Suleiman Demirel, and to the government of Turkey. We express our deep sympathy and grieve together with fraternal people of Turkey that has undergone a hard trial of the destructing earthquake, taking thousand of human lives, – with dignity, courage and steadfastness. We share your grief and sorrow and say: be it the last one.

Mr. Chairman!

At the end of the twentieth century which has experienced the horrors of two destructive world wars and severe trial of the “Cold war”, a new horizon for the genuine peace and stability is opened for Europe. Unfortunately, for the present we have not achieved full implementation of the purposes and the principles proclaimed almost a quarter of century back in Helsinki.

The threat for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of OSCE states-members became a severe reality, bringing troubles and sufferings to millions of people. I have to draw the attention of the international community once again to the intolerance of situation when already more than six years the one fifth part of territory of sovereign Azerbaijan is remaining under occupation of the Armenian armed forces, and about one million of Azerbaijanis are expelled from their homelands as a result of “ethnic purges” carried out.

Unfortunately, from the time of our last summit the peace process has not brought any desirable result. The co-chairmen of the Minsk group did not show necessary activity and consistency in the realization of the principles accepted at Lisbon summit of OSCE and the Minsk process has become passive. In these conditions there grew a necessity of realization of direct meetings and negotiations between Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. A few such promising meetings, possible to reach peaceful settlement of the conflict were held. Of course, an important factor in the settlement of conflict is readiness of both sides for compromises. However the compromise, undoubtedly, is limited in the frames established by principles and norms of international law.

The Nagorno Karabakh region of the Azerbaijani Republic may and should become an area of peaceful and safe cohabitation of Armenians and Azerbaijanianis that will serve for the establishment of the peaceful and normal good-neighborhood relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. For this purpose it is necessary to free from the captured territories of Azerbaijan, for this purpose it is necessary to define an appropriate status of Nagorno Karabakh within Azerbaijani Republic.

I would like to stress that our negotiations with the President of Armenia can`t replace the activity of the Minsk group of OSCE bearing the responsibility for settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. I appeal to all the heads of the states and governments of the countries – co-chairmen of the Minsk conference to make all necessary efforts for resuming of negotiations within the framework of the Minsk group with no delay. The world community must consistently and definitely assert the declared principles for settlement of the conflict.

It is through the prism of these problems that we consider the role of OSCE in the next century. OSCE must operate resolutely in a view of protection of its principles and considerably strengthen the operative opportunities, first of all, for development of the multinational peace-keeping forces.

I consider it necessary to increase the efficiency of the contract on conventional armed forces in Europe. I declare that the militarization of the region and illegal deployment of foreign weapons on the occupied Azerbaijani lands pose danger for its security. Despite this, Azerbaijan meets all the obligations under the contract entirely. But actions of some states undermine both the contract requirements and the safety of the states-participants.

Southern Caucasus is an integral part of Europe. I call heads of the states and the governments of USA, the European Union, Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia and all other interested members of OSCE for the resolute actions aimed at the settlement of problems of our region. I propose to create the pact of safety and cooperation on Southern Caucasus. Such a pact should fix basic principles of interstate relations and eliminate conflicts. Such a pact should exclude the foreign military presence and dividing lines in the region, prevent aggression and ethnic purges, put an end to separatism and terrorism, actions on the basis of the “fait accompli” and double standards. Such a pact could have resulted in an establishment of peace, stability and security in the region, economic prosperity and cooperation of the sovereign, independent democratic states of the Southern Caucasus. Successful actions of the international community on Southern Caucasus at the threshold of XXI century would have been an essential contribution to create free, indivisible and secure Europe.

Thank you for your attention.