Defense chief says chances for war 'real'
Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev warned Tuesday of a
possible resumption of hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia,
the two South Caucasus republics locked in conflict for over a
decade.
"The chances for war appear more real in the current conditions," he told a news conference after a meeting of the CIS Defense Ministers Council in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Abiyev reminded that Armenia's policy of occupation persists. "So long as Azeri land remains under Armenian occupation, the possibility of war with this country is 100%."
Armenian Defense Minister Mikael Arutyunian reacted to the statement immediately, saying military action was not an alternative to the negotiated resolution of the long-standing dispute. "The conflict could be settled only in peace," he added.
Peace talks kicked off after a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts despite four standing UN resolutions on unconditional pullout of its armed forces.
"The chances for war appear more real in the current conditions," he told a news conference after a meeting of the CIS Defense Ministers Council in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Abiyev reminded that Armenia's policy of occupation persists. "So long as Azeri land remains under Armenian occupation, the possibility of war with this country is 100%."
Armenian Defense Minister Mikael Arutyunian reacted to the statement immediately, saying military action was not an alternative to the negotiated resolution of the long-standing dispute. "The conflict could be settled only in peace," he added.
Peace talks kicked off after a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts despite four standing UN resolutions on unconditional pullout of its armed forces.
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