“Armenia must finally recognize that there is no alternative to peace and cooperation in the region,” Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on the occasion of 8 November – Victory Day.
“Being committed to its obligations, Azerbaijan, launching the peace initiative immediately after the end of the war and conflict, began to actively promote the idea of normalization of relations between the two countries and the peace process, taking measures to carry out large-scale restoration and construction work in the liberated territories, as well as for reintegration of Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region into our society.
Notwithstanding this, once again hindering peace agreement negotiations, continuing military-political provocations, as well as the landmine threat, Armenia chose the path of enduring to menace the peace process, lives of our citizens, restoration and reconstruction work carried out in the region. At the same time, contrary to its obligations, besides not withdrawing the Armenian armed forces which were the main source of threat to peace and security in the region, Armenia continued to support them financially, and did not refrain from the illegal transfer of weapons, military equipment, landmines to the territories of Azerbaijan. Armenia also refused to hand over 8 Azerbaijani villages, which are still under occupation.
Ignoring the warnings of Azerbaijan at various levels and platforms, the illegal Armenian armed forces in the territories of Azerbaijan increased their provocations this year in September and committed a landmine explosion, which killed 6 Azerbaijani civilians and police officers in a day. In response, on September 19-20, 2023, in order to put an end to the existence of illegal Armenian forces, as well as to restore full sovereignty over all its territories, Azerbaijan carried out counter-terrorism measures within 24 hours in the Garabagh region.
Currently, after the existence of the Armenian armed forces and the puppet regime created by Armenia in our territories were brought to an end, there are ample opportunities for peace and stability in the region.
Against the backdrop of these promising conditions, being committed to the normalization of relations between the two countries, as well as the reintegration of Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region, Azerbaijan calls on Armenia to demonstrate a constructive and just position in the peace process and to understand the realities in the region properly,” the ministry added.
