Official: Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations yield no results for over 20 years
By Rashid Shirinov
The negotiation process mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is ongoing for more than 20 years, has not give any result so far, said Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs.
Hasanov, addressing a meeting with famous French writer Gerard Cardon in Baku on January 19, noted that Armenia’s ex-president Robert Kocharyan and incumbent President Serzh came to power by spilling the blood of Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Touching upon the consequences of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, the Deputy PM said that 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories was occupied, 1.2 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons, Azerbaijan’s national and cultural values were looted, and the entire infrastructure destroyed.
He also spoke about the Khojaly genocide, which was committed by Armenian military forces in the town of Khojaly on February 26, 1992.
Hasanov reminded that the UN Security Council and other influential international organizations have adopted decisions and resolutions on liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, and return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes. “Unfortunately, these resolutions and decisions remain unfulfilled,” Hasanov said.
The official also spoke about the measures taken to ensure descent life of the refugees and IDPs, and necessary conditions created for them.
“But their main wish is to return to homelands” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
In turn, Cardon highly appreciated the development he had seen in Azerbaijan.
The French writer noted that there is hunger and poverty in Armenia. “People are leaving the country, and oppose the current regime,” he said.
Cardon also spoke about his desire to write a book about Azerbaijani women. The writer said he had already carried out similar project in several countries around the world.
“The work dedicated to Azerbaijani women, will be written in the form of a novel consisting of two parts,” said Cardon. “The book will reflect the lives of women, their role in the family, community, protection of their rights and other issues.”
The writer also noted that he will write a book about the Khojaly tragedy on the basis of the collected material.
As a result of the Khojaly massacre 613 people, including 106 women, 63 children, 70 old men, were mercilessly killed, 487 people were injured, 1,275 civilians were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people is still unknown.
As a result of this act of genocide, eight families were completely destroyed, while 25 children lost both parents.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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