Interview of President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev for a columnist of Iranian "Ahrar" newspaper - Tehran, 10 December, 1997


Question: What may be said about deepening of contacts between Iran and Azerbaijan?

Answer: The contacts between Iran and Azerbaijan are of friendly and brotherly character and I think that these contacts will be raised in the future to a higher level, will expand and develop. I am hopeful that during my meeting with President of Iran Mr. Khatami - we will have a special meeting today - we will discuss these matters and I think that our opinions will concur.

Question: What do You expect from this conference in light of Karabakh conflict?

Answer: Our desire implies that this conference will denounce Armenia as an aggressor. Armenia has committed aggression against Azerbaijan, occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands and more than a million our brothers and sisters have been banished from their native places and live in tents. Therefore, this conference should denounce Armenia as an aggressor.

Question: How do You see the legal status of the Caspian Sea?

Answer: The legal status of the Caspian Sea will be defined within legal framework.

Question: How do You appreciate the Summit?

Answer: I appreciate it very highly.