Azernews.Az

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Friday that the prospects for talks on the long-standing Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict with Armenia should be clarified in the coming months.
Addressing the public in the frontline Fuzuli district, Aliyev emphasized that peace talks conducted with Armenia in the past 14 years have been fruitless.
"Although some advances are sensed in the negotiating process, this does not mean that the issue has been solved," he said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus republics reared up in the late 1980s due to Armenia's territorial claims. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan's internationally-recognized territory since the early 1990s in defiance of international law. The ceasefire accord was signed in May 1994, but over a decade of efforts by US, Russian and French mediators have been fruitless so far.
The president said Azerbaijan was conducting talks as it hoped for a fair and negotiated solution of the problem.
He expressed hope that international mediators brokering the peace process and Armenia "would realize that the policy of aggression has no future".
"We are trying to resolve the conflict in peace. But negotiations cannot go on forever. Every nation or country's patience has limits. For the time being, we are displaying our policy of peace and taking part in talks. But both the other side and all international mediators should know that this will not always be the case," Aliyev warned.
"Armenia also says that it aspires to settle the conflict in peace. But they did not occupy Azerbaijan's land by peaceful means. They did so with outside support and by military means," he said.
President Aliyev reiterated that Azerbaijan's position on the Garabagh problem was known and intransigent.
"The conflict must be settled within the frames of international law. Azerbaijan's fair cause has been acknowledged by the entire world. The resolution recently passed at the UN confirms that," he said.
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution in mid-March demanding unconditional pullout of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories. The mediating countries - Russia, France and the United States - voted against the resolution, drawing fire from the Azerbaijani government. Baku further sent an inquiry to the OSCE about the process of replacing the Minsk Group co-chairs.
Aliyev pounded a wave of criticism on the intermediaries' position. "As mediators, they could have at least abstained from voting. But despite all, our growing authority and the diplomatic efforts we have taken secured this victory [the passage of the resolution]."
The president said such organizations as the UN, the European Union, the Council of Europe, NATO and the Organization of Islamic Conference have repeatedly stated their recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. However, the problem remains unresolved.
"Everyone knows that the truth is on our side, but Armenia is not reckoning with that and failing to honor international law. They have allegedly given their consent to the peaceful settlement option approved by the co-chairs, but at the same time, they are continuing illegal settlements in the Lachin district."
President Aliyev emphasized that the proposals currently on the negotiating table envisioned liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories. If a peace accord is signed, five districts around Upper Garabagh will be freed immediately, while [strategic] Lachin and Kalbajar - shortly thereafter.
Aliyev blamed Yerevan for insincerity and attempts to mislead the international community.
"If Armenians are indeed sincere in the negotiations, why are they calling an international conference on the development of Lachin and changing the name of the district? All this indicates the insincerity of the Armenian side. They continue deceiving the world community," the Azerbaijani leader said.
He stressed that international mediators continue to believe these lies. "However, I hope that they are aware of what is going on in the region and are indeed aware that Armenia is acting insincerely. This insincerity leads to the delay in the negotiating process," the head of state said.
The newly-elected Armenian president Serzh Sarkisian claimed that Azerbaijan "should reconcile with having lost Garabagh" and that Yerevan would not back down from the principle of self-determination of nations in the course of peace talks.
President Aliyev visited the frontline on the same day. He said he has been paying such visits frequently of late and meeting with servicemen.
"After meeting with our military men today, I was once again convinced that the Azerbaijani army is ready to carry out all tasks it is facing," the commander-in-chief said. "The Azerbaijani army is the most powerful one in the region both in terms of professionalism and logistics potential."
Aliyev highlighted that Azerbaijan's military budget was rising. "Our military potential and defense spending that is increasing by the year draws us closer to the goal we have set out. These expenses have risen 10 times in the past four years."
Aliyev stressed that defense spending would be further increased soon during the introduction of addenda to the state budget, bringing the figure to about $2 billion.
During the visit to the contact line of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the president also observed the enemy positions.
This was the Azerbaijani leader's second visit to the frontline regions in 2008.

‘Double standards’
During his address, President Aliyev also accused a number of leading Western countries of double standards in their policy.
"How come the countries that allegedly defend democracy, seek to forcefully impose it worldwide and consider themselves beacons of democracy are turning a blind eye to the authorities' brutality against peaceful citizens in Armenia?" he queried.
The mass protests that followed the February 19 presidential election in Armenia were quelled on March 1. Armenian opposition had refused to recognize the results of the election won by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, charging vote rigging and taking to the streets.
"Tens of civilians were killed in Armenia. The Council of Europe had to acknowledge on the Azerbaijani delegation's insistence that at least 28 people died, not eight or nine (as reported earlier). Nothing is being said about this in any foreign media or TV channels. But as soon as some minor development takes place elsewhere, uproar is raised that there is allegedly no democracy there. How long can we tolerate this?"
The head of state emphasized that Azerbaijan is the most democratic country in the region with unity between the people and authorities.
"The society is not divided and public opinion is unanimous here. But as soon as a petty event of provocative nature takes place in Azerbaijan, everything turns upside down. Countries calling themselves democratic meddle in, and their ambassadors issue out-of-place statements and interfere with our internal affairs, while foreign media immediately publish incessant stories saying that democracy and free speech are being strangled in Azerbaijan."
Aliyev said all this indicated a discriminatory approach to regional countries.
"We reject this. We will never accept unfair decisions made against us. We should make a proper conclusion out of this.
"We are closely following the developments ongoing in South Caucasus states. The attitude toward Azerbaijan is unfair for various reasons. But the most important part is that Azerbaijan is pursuing an independent policy and does not want to be a toy in anyone's hands. Struggle for influence is currently under way in the region. But we will not fall under anyone's clout," Aliyev said.
He reiterated that Baku would not divert from the path it has taken. "We do not need anyone's advice. We built this state on our own and have to be strong. I reiterate that we will not turn back from our path of principle in the resolution of the Garabagh conflict."
Aliyev said that despite pressure and persistent statements, Azerbaijan would not back down from its position.
"They are now calling us to compromise. Why should we do that? Why should we grant independence to Upper Garabagh? But we are being urged to do so. Some world politicians say that both Armenia and Azerbaijan are to blame for the situation that emerged. But what is our fault? Is it our fault that Armenians ousted us from our land?" the president said ironically.
Aliyev said that whereas Azerbaijan responded to baseless claims "behind closed doors" in the past, it is now speaking out openly.
"I state once again that this conflict will be settled within Azerbaijan's territorial integrity," he added.