I hope for collaborative environment in region to reach soonest resolution to Karabakh conflict: British foreign secretary

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband addressed the 55th session of NATO Parliamentary Assembly, member of the Azerbaijani delegation to NATO PA Zahid Oruj said.

He said Miliband defended NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s opinion for more support from the countries to successfully develop mission in Afghanistan.

“Then Armenian representative tried to show antagonist position regarding my question to the Secretary General. He said Azerbaijan’s rapid armament disrupts military balance in the South Caucasus and threatens Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh against the background of increasing risks," Oruj said.

"The Armenian parliamentarian said international community should take actions to make Azerbaijan avoid these steps. I said during my speech that NATO PA is not a place for discussions of disputes between the two countries, but we will declare this fact everywhere because Armenia is an aggressor."

Oruj said he noted that “there is no place for aggressor countries in NATO” and made parallels between the situation of early 20th century when USSR was established and geopolitical situation of 21st century.

“I told David Miliband that at that time USSR easily occupied the region because British forces in the Caucasus preferred economic interests than defending of our independence and were forced to leave the Caucasus. What principles do you prefer in your present policy towards the countries and conflicts: territorial integrity, sovereignty and democracy or economic interests? The foreign secretary said that he was hopeful that collaborative environment will be created in the region to reach soonest solution to the conflict," Oruj said.

/APA/