Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 11 / Trend , J.Babayeva/
The Public Association Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan Republic believes the information on the number of the Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh does not reflect reality.
"I do not believe that the number of the Armenian community is more than Azerbaijani. A while ago, a group of intellectuals paid a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh. They held meeting and observation there. The general opinion says that the data on the Armenian population of the Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh is absolutely far from reality," Chairman of the Public Association Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan Republic, Bayram Safarov said in his interview with the official website of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) on Sept. 11.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Safarov said the number of Armenians in Shusha reaches a maximum of 1,000 people. "After the conflict, the majority of Armenians left Karabakh. If not take into account those who have moved here later, the number of the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh is not so high. The standard of living is very low there. The Armenian leadership has brought many troubles to these people, as well. Because of the Armenian policy, the many of them were forced to leave for work abroad," he said.
At present, the number of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh tops 65,000 people, said Safarov. "We try to develop a list of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh and specify the population. Of course, this is a rather complicated process. For example, only one population of the Shusha region settled in 59 regions of Azerbaijan. There is the same situation with a list of residents of the other regions. Despite this, we will try to meet that challenge," said Safarov.
As to joint living with the Armenians in the event of a peace treaty, Safarov said that "to live together with the Armenians is our fate." "Yes, we suffered great losses due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and faced with serious accident. Despite this, living side by side with the Armenians is our fate, destiny. I think time will put everything in its place. Ordinary citizens would not support this war. So stay with our citizens of Armenian origin is possible. Of course, when the conflict is resolved peacefully, the Azerbaijani laws will be applied to the region and all citizens will obey them," said the head of the community.
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