Azerbaijan accepts co-existence of two communities in Garabagh
Azerbaijan`s ultimate goal is not merely the return
of the seven districts around Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh currently
under Armenian occupation, but restoration of the country`s
territorial integrity and peace between the communities of the
region, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has said.
"When speaking about territorial integrity, Azerbaijan always states that population consisting of at least two communities - Azerbaijani and Armenian - will live in the territory of the Upper Garabagh region within the Azerbaijan Republic," Azimov told the BBC`s Russian service. "When the Armenian side cites the population problem, it implies only the Armenian community."
Further, the deputy minister expressed disappointment that the parties to the Garabagh conflict have yet to reach full understanding and clarity regarding the need for the return of Azerbaijani displaced persons to Upper Garabagh.
"The Azerbaijani side has never ruled out the possibility of [restoring] ties with the Armenian community of Garabagh. These ties existed, and are, or could be, in place," Azimov said.
He emphasized that, in order to create suitable conditions for a normal discussion of issues concerning the status of Upper Garabagh`s residents, at least, peace and cooperation between the two communities of the region should be ensured.
Armenia and Azerbaijan waged a war in the early 1990s, which claimed some 30,000 lives and displaced about a million Azerbaijanis. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory since then. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but Armenian armed forces have been persistently breaching the ceasefire on the frontline.
"When speaking about territorial integrity, Azerbaijan always states that population consisting of at least two communities - Azerbaijani and Armenian - will live in the territory of the Upper Garabagh region within the Azerbaijan Republic," Azimov told the BBC`s Russian service. "When the Armenian side cites the population problem, it implies only the Armenian community."
Further, the deputy minister expressed disappointment that the parties to the Garabagh conflict have yet to reach full understanding and clarity regarding the need for the return of Azerbaijani displaced persons to Upper Garabagh.
"The Azerbaijani side has never ruled out the possibility of [restoring] ties with the Armenian community of Garabagh. These ties existed, and are, or could be, in place," Azimov said.
He emphasized that, in order to create suitable conditions for a normal discussion of issues concerning the status of Upper Garabagh`s residents, at least, peace and cooperation between the two communities of the region should be ensured.
Armenia and Azerbaijan waged a war in the early 1990s, which claimed some 30,000 lives and displaced about a million Azerbaijanis. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory since then. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but Armenian armed forces have been persistently breaching the ceasefire on the frontline.
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