Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 1 /Trend E. Ismayilov/
Armenian efforts on operation of the airport in Khankendi are attempting to violate rules of international law, the State Civil Aviation Administration reported to Trend on Monday, commenting on information on commission of airport, spread on by Armenian mass media.
According to administration, they have many times expressed their position regarding activity of Armenian party on commissioning of Khankendi airport, located on Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia.
"Our position has not changed. All actions have to be implemented in accordance with international law", the administration noted.
Administration stated that if information on commissioning of Khankendi airport and flight of aircraft there is true, the reaction should follow from the relevant government agencies and ministries.
The administration said any decision on activity regarding airspace violators will be made at government level, as this issue is beyond the limits of administration's jurisdiction.
Previously official Baku has stated that the commission of Khankendi airport is a direct violation of Convention on international civil aviation, signed on December 7 1944 in Chicago. In this regard, Azerbaijan will strengthen the legal level on the application of Chicago convention.
The head of Civil Aviation Administration Arif Mammadov said Azerbaijan has banned the use of airspace on occupied territory of Nagorno Karabakh, as noone can guarantee the security of flights on this territory,
In his words, Armenian efforts directed to the commission of Khankendi airport are attempts to violate rules of international law. This airspace belongs to Azerbaijan, this is why its use is not possible.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Civil Aviation Conference also support Azerbaijan's position in this issue.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven 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 peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.