MP: Armenia must end occupation of Azerbaijani lands
By Rashid Shirinov
Azerbaijan’s main principles and requirements in the peace process are Armenia’s withdrawal from the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories, and Nagorno-Karabakh’s remaining within Azerbaijan, said Rafael Huseynov.
The Azerbaijani MP and member of Azerbaijan’s Permanent Delegation to PACE made the remark when commenting on the recent statement of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on the return of Azerbaijani territories “that are not a threat to Nagorno-Karabakh”.
Emphasizing that Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, he noted that Azerbaijan expressed its readiness to grant Nagorno-Karabakh the highest status under international law and practice.
“Azerbaijan cannot be without Nagorno-Karabakh. Other opinions and analyses on this issue are unacceptable,” the MP told Trend.
“Armenia is backed by certain forces, lobby, and Armenia does what they dictate,” said Huseynov.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict 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 regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan has long ago stated it is ready to settle the conflict through direct negotiations with Armenia with mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. However, the Armenian side is constantly trying to make up reasons to avoid a constructive dialogue and preserve the unacceptable status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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