Azerbaijani FM comments on Mirzoyan's statement
On July 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan commented on the statement of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, voiced at a press conference with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg, Azernews reports.
It was noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, once again accusing Azerbaijan, of putting forward a number of unfounded claims, demonstrated that he was not interested in peace and stability in the region.
“The fact that the Armenian Foreign Minister, instead of showing respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, impedes the peace process under the pretext of the “rights and security” of the Armenians living in Karabakh (which was under occupation for almost 30 years, where ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis) testifies to the true intentions of the Armenian authorities. Speaking about the “population of Karabakh”, it is unacceptable to mean only the rights of the Armenian residents and ignore the “rights and security” of the Azerbaijani residents expelled from these lands. Azerbaijan is the party that initiates dialogue with the Armenian residents, and it is important to reciprocate these benevolent steps of our country. At the same time, it should be clear to the Armenian side that Azerbaijan equally ensures and will ensure the rights and security of all ethnic minorities living in the AR,” the commentary says.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stressed that allegations of a "tense humanitarian situation" in the region are a political adventure and manipulation by Armenia.
“The objection to the transportation of goods along the Aghdam-Khankendi road proposed by Azerbaijan is an example of the groundlessness of these allegations. The distortion by Armenia of the decision of the International Court of July 6, 2023 on the unanimous rejection of the demand of the Armenian side to liquidate the Lachin checkpoint, as well as the commission of a military provocation, indicates that Armenia does not intend to comply with international norms and principles.
At the same time, it does not fit into sound logic that the Armenian side, which has violated all borders, keeping the Azerbaijani territories under occupation for almost 30 years, has not yet fully withdrawn the Armenian armed forces from the Azerbaijani territories, put forward a condition for establishing clarity on the state border and stated that this is a key factor in the negotiation process.
The fact that Armenia, which over the past three years has not fulfilled its obligation to open transport communications from the western regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, is now hindering this process under various pretexts, showing that this country still does not understand that the policy of self-isolation during almost 30 years to nothing good has not led.
If Armenia is interested in peace, stability, and security in the region, then it must stop hypocrisy and falsified manipulations, and comply with its international legal obligations in order to successfully complete the peace process,” the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a comment.
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