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FM assesses unresolved Karabakh conflict as threat to region [UPDATE]

22 February 2017 16:35 (UTC+04:00)
FM assesses unresolved Karabakh conflict as threat to region [UPDATE]

By Amina Nazarli

The unresolved Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a serious threat to peace, security, stability and comprehensive cooperation in the South Caucasus region.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made the remark in Ankara at the international conference “Khojaly Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and Terrorism” on February 22.

“Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity recognized by the international community has remained violated over the years as a result of Armenia’s occupation policy,” Mammadyarov said. “More than one million Azerbaijanis are refugees and IDPs. Ethnic cleansing was carried out against the Azerbaijani people, all the norms and principles of international law were violated.”

The minister emphasized that the position of the international organizations regarding the conflict is clear, saying :“The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian Armed Forces from the Azerbaijani territories. Unfortunately, none of the resolutions has been implemented so far.”

Mammadyarov went on to add that Azerbaijan stands for fair and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and this position remains unchanged.

“The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict should be settled within the principle of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” he said. “The early settlement of the conflict in accordance with the norms of international law will put an end to injustice, contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.”

Mammadyarov further spoke about the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenians during the Karabakh War.

The Khojaly genocide is an inseparable part of Armenia’s aggressive policy against Azerbaijan, he said, adding that the genocide is yet another example of the ruthless and brutal policy of ethnic cleansing carried out over the years by the Armenian extremists against the Azerbaijani people.

In 1992, the town of Khojaly, the second largest town in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, came under intense fire by the Armenian armed forces.

Some 613 civilians mostly women and children were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 people remains unknown. Civilians were shot at close range, scalped, and burned alive.

Speaking about terrorist attacks committed in Turkey, Mammadyarov voiced that Azerbaijan is concerned over this situation.

“Azerbaijan strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and supports fraternal Turkey,” he said, stressing that Azerbaijan, as a country affected by terrorist acts, condemns all forms of terrorism.

“Baku supports all the efforts of international community in the fight against terrorism by contributing to those efforts,” he added. “Baku is making every effort to restore peace and stability in the region.”

Mammadyarov also spoke of the relations of Azerbaijan with Islamic States, noting that the strengthening of cooperation with these countries was always a priority for Azerbaijan.

"Due to its geographical location Azerbaijan for centuries served as a bridge between East and West and was promoting Islamic cultural and spiritual values to the World,” said FM.

“Azerbaijan is a tolerant country, where all people with different religious and confessional affiliations live and exercise their religious rites without any restrictions, discrimination or prejudice. Our people proudly hold this salient feature and live side by side with religious, confessional and national minorities. The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan also attaches great importance to this issue.”

The Minister said that in accordance with Decree of Azerbaijani President, the year 2016 was declared in Azerbaijan as a “Year of Multiculturalism” and the country hosted 7th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

"People of different cultures, religions and confessions visited our country and witnessed our achievements in mentioned spheres. Being a tolerant country, Azerbaijan is proud of its Muslim identity. We proudly revere Islamic culture, history and traditions for centuries," he said. "In accordance with the presidential Decree, the year of 2017 has been declared a “Year of Islamic Solidarity”. We are planning to host 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku in May 2017.”

The main aim of Azerbaijan that is a leading economic power of South Caucasus, according to Mammadyarov, is strengthens its positions in international arena day by day, and to ensure lasting peace, stability, prosperity and good neighborhood in the region.

"I believe that those who respect and support sovereignty, territorial integrity, future prosperity of their own countries, as well as supremacy of international law will support the just stand of Azerbaijan,” FM Mammadyarov added.

In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the 1992 Khojaly massacre in Azerbaijan was a "crime against humanity".

"We never forgot Khojaly and will [never] forget," Cavusoglu emphasized.

The minister said Turkey and Azerbaijan would continue to explain the Khojaly massacre to the world.

"Armenia does not want to face realities, but the Khojaly massacre is real," Cavusoglu said. He added it happened 25 years ago "under the world's eyes".

The Turkish FM added that the "most important" problem for the stability of the region was that 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory was occupied by Armenia.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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