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FM: Karabakh will always be Azerbaijan’s integral part

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 19 October 2016 18:21 (UTC +04:00)
The Nagorno-Karabakh region has always been, is and will remain Azerbaijan’s integral part
FM: Karabakh will always be Azerbaijan’s integral part

Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 19

By Seba Aghayeva – Trend:

The Nagorno-Karabakh region has always been, is and will remain Azerbaijan’s integral part, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in his article published by the official press.

“Armenia’s occupation policy will never be successful,” said Mammadyarov.

“The only way to achieve a sustainable settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and establish civilized relations between the two neighboring countries is the liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, restoration of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and ensuring the right of refugees and IDPs to return to their motherlands,” noted the minister.

He said this is required by international law and the UN Security Council resolutions.

The minister expressed regret that the UN Security Council resolutions on the conflict’s settlement aren’t implemented by Armenia and the mediators’ efforts have not led to a result for more than 20 years.

“Instead of showing good will in the negotiation process, Armenia openly impedes any effort aimed at the conflict’s peaceful settlement,” said Mammadyarov.

“Armenia refuses to withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories, hinders the refugees and IDPs from returning to their homes by ignoring the UN Security Council requirements and blatantly violating the international law,” he added.

The minister said Armenia draws attention to the technical aspects of the ceasefire regime and periodically commits military sabotages by trying to divert attention from the core and substantive issues of the peace process.

“Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that it is ready for substantive negotiations on the conflict’s settlement,” said Mammadyarov, adding that substantive negotiations should bring a change in the status quo and lead to liberation of occupied Azerbaijani territories.

“The sooner Armenia realizes this and withdraws its troops from the occupied territories, the sooner the conflict will be resolved and Armenia will be able to take advantage of economic benefits of the regional cooperation,” added the Azerbaijani minister.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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