MFA: Yerevan's statements contradict calls for preparing population for peace
By Abdul Kerimkhanov
The Armenian leadership, as in previous years, has committed another provocation in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.
Visit of the Armenian political leadership to the city of Shusha, an ancient city of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenian armed forces on May 8, 1992 demonstrates that the behavior of the current Armenian high circles does not differ from Sargsyan team's policy.
In this regard, the question arises: is there any sense, in general, to expect decisive steps from Armenia in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? How long will torpedoing of real negotiations from Armenia remain unpunished?
The latest statements by Armenian officials are strongly contrary to the calls for preparing the population for peace, reflected in the joint statements made during the last meetings, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said on May 9.
"Armenian political leadership’s visit to the city of Shusha, which is under their military occupation, statements made in this context, as well as voiced by Yerevan, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the words "Karabakh’s freedom protection form the basis of our commitments on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement" is a very wrong message for the negotiations to resolve the conflict," she stressed.
Abdullayeva noted that all responsibility in connection with further possible development of events lies with the Armenian leadership.
She recalled that all international organizations and the international community recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within the recognized state borders.
The sooner the Armenian leadership realizes this reality and stops deceiving its population, the sooner peace, stability and sustainable development will be ensured in the region, Abdullayeva concluded.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries 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 districts.
Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as an integral part of Azerbaijan demanding the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all occupation forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, according to the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94
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