BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. The Armenian residents of Karabakh are already asking Azerbaijan for the help they need, and even making lists, veteran and honorary employee of the security agencies of Azerbaijan, retired Colonel Azer Garayev told Trend.
He noted that the head of the Azerbaijani state has once again shown that he knows what to do and when it needs to be done. The Azerbaijani army carried out anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh with high professionalism and precision, the combat positions and military facilities of the separatists were destroyed within one day. They surrendered, raising the white flag, and agreed to all the conditions dictated by Azerbaijan.
"Unfortunately, there are those who still haven't learned their lesson. The UN Security Council held discussions on Karabakh yesterday. Those who have made various accusations against Azerbaijan ignored reality during these discussions. Those who, during the 30 years of the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands, have never accused the political leadership of Armenia, have never mentioned sanctions, have not made statements against this country, for some reason were seriously concerned about Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist activities on its territory,” said Garayev.
“No one asks Armenia what the armed formations of its army are doing on the territory of Azerbaijan? Why were these formations not withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijan in accordance with the statement of November 10, 2020? Azerbaijan is no longer interested in clarifying these issues, because even in the second Karabakh war, it proved that it is able to solve issues at the expense of its political and military strength. This is already known to the whole world. Armenia is seriously concerned about the fact that Azerbaijan has become stronger and has begun to pursue an independent policy," Garayev said.
Garayev, speaking about the aid sent to the Armenian residents of Karabakh, noted that Azerbaijan is able to meet all the needs of its citizens.
"We have offered assistance before, but since the separatist regime in Karabakh almost enslaved the Armenian residents, it was impossible to send this aid. Today we see that the Armenian residents of Karabakh ask Azerbaijan for the help they need, and even make lists. This fact also shows that they were under the control of the separatists and other forces. The foundation of a new era is already being laid for peaceful Armenian residents of Karabakh, and those who have accepted Azerbaijani citizenship will live in safety, under the Azerbaijani flag,” said the retired colonel.
“If someone does not want to take Azerbaijani citizenship, they can leave our territories. Baku even stated that Azerbaijan is considering the possibility of amnesty for the disarmed Armenian separatists. This is also the humanistic approach of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan wants to live in peace with its neighbors. The political authorities of Armenia, having also taken a constructive position, should support Azerbaijan's peace initiatives and not delay the process," Garayev said.
He said that the first stage of the process is being completed, the Aghdam-Khankendi road is functioning.
"The whole world knows that there was neither a "humanitarian crisis" nor a "blockade". It is not France, Armenia or another foreign country that is sending aid to the Armenian residents of Karabakh, but Azerbaijan," Garayev said.
In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.
Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.
At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.
In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.
As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
An agreement was reached to hold another meeting soon.