Hikmat Hajiyev: Baku always ready for constructive talks
“The Azerbaijani side has repeatedly stated that the main reason for the violation of the ceasefire regime is the illegal presence of Armenian troops in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the continuation of the military occupation. The Armenian side has always been the culprit of the violation of the ceasefire and the aggravation of the situation,” he said.
In this regard, he recalled the large-scale military exercises conducted by the Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan after the meeting of the heads of state in November 2014 in Paris, as well as the shelling from heavy weapons of civilians living along the line of contact of troops by the armed forces of Armenia in April 2016, and deliberate aggravation of the situation.
“So, the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in accordance with the requirements of the resolutions of the UN Security Council will eliminate not only the factor of military risk, but there will also be no need for a ceasefire, and there will be comprehensive opportunities for a political solution to the conflict. Thus, peace, stability and security will be ensured in the region,” Hajiyev said.
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war began, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including NagornoKarabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.
While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign state with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.
Until now, Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.