Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Estonia’s position over the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged.

An Estonian MP has said the official position of his country on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem remains clear and unambiguous.

“It is necessary to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and ensure the return of refugees to their native lands,” said Michael Korb, chairman of the 20-member Azerbaijan-Estonia parliamentary friendship group at the Estonian parliament, AzerTac reported.

Armenia occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, after laying territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor that had caused a lengthy war in the early 1990s. Military aggression of Armenia resulted with expelling of over one million Azerbaijanis from native lands.

“I consider unjust and brutal the bloodiest tragedy of this conflict, the Khojaly massacre. I am sure that any crime of this kind should be condemned by the entire international community so that the bloody events might not be repeated,” Korb added.

In 1992, the town of Khojaly, the second largest town in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, came under intense fire by the Armenian armed forces.

613 civilians mostly women and children were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 people remains unknown. Civilians were shot at close range, scalped, and burned alive.

Korb also highlighted the friendship group`s contribution to Estonian-Azerbaijani ties. “Our group works hard to strengthen the Estonian-Azerbaijani economic relations, in particular increase the bilateral trade.”

He further said they will discuss a proposal to set up an Azerbaijani-Baltic friendship group during a meeting with the head of Azerbaijan-Latvia parliamentary friendship group Hosam Abu Meri on December 17 and chairman of the Lithuanian group of friendship with Azerbaijan Juras Pozhela in January.

Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Estonia are well developed and the two sides enjoy opportunities for deepening the relations.

Diplomatic relations between the two states was established in 1992.

Earlier, Estonia was represented in Azerbaijan through its embassy in Turkey. Estonian embassy was opened in Baku in 2014. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tallinn. Over 2,500 Azerbaijanis live in Estonia.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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