Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Monday, 15 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether it is the Government's policy to support (a) the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as including the former autonomous region of Nagarno-Karabakh and (b) Azerbaijan's right to control its own borders; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the Government's policy to support (a) the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as including the former autonomous region of Nagorno Karabakh and (b) Azerbaijan's right to control its own borders; and if he will make a statement. [199104] Mr. Rammell: We will support any mechanism for the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute that both parties can accept and which has a realistic chance of delivering a lasting political settlement. The framework for discussing such mechanisms is the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by Russia, the US and France. While the UK is not a member of the Minsk Group, we support its work and remain in close touch through the UK Special Representative to the South Caucasus, Sir Brian Fall.

Secondary information