Azerbaijan

The decisive speeches of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev either in the previous period (as a head of the Azerbaijani Parliament’s permanent delegation to Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) or during presidency in connection with the Garabagh conflict has played an important role in the increasing of political influence of Azerbaijan in the world. In his official and unofficial meetings he exposed the Armenian aggressors, with the resolute position had caused to form in the world the objective opinion about Nagorno-Garabagh as the inseparable part of Azerbaijan, about the so-called "Nagorno-Garabagh problem", and a correct political assessment of the conflict was given and important steps were taken for its solution. Some of these speeches we bring to your attention:

 

...The Azerbaijani-Armenian Nagorno-Garabagh problem is the most painful problem for our country. This issue can be resolved on the several principals, on the principals of the international laws. The Azerbaijani lands should be liberated from occupation, one million refugees and displaced persons should return home and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored. Azerbaijan will never reconcile with the occupation and loss of its lands. Everybody should know, though, we are for peace, we do not want war, this issue should be resolved by peaceful means, but at the same time everybody should know that our patience is not endless. Azerbaijan will liberate its lands at any cost. 

...Unfortunately, today there is one major factor which impedes full scale regional cooperation.

This is continuing for more than 10 years Armenian occupation of 20 percent of the territories of Azerbaijan including Nagorno-Karabagh and 7 other regions of Azerbaijan. As a result of this occupation and aggression more than 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs. The fact of this occupation is reflected in 4 UN Resolutions, Statements of OSCE Minsk Group, official documents of the Council of Europe other documents and is recognized by the international community. International Community must use all its authority and urge Armenia to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan

...We have good bilateral relations with Turkey, Russia, Georgia, and Iran. We cooperate on a regional level. However, we have not relations with one our neighbor, which is Armenia. The reason is clear. At the end of 1980 separatist movement started in the country's region of Nagorno-Garabagh resulted in war against Azerbaijan. Armenia made an aggression against our country in order to separate Nagorno-Garabagh from Azerbaijan and 7 more regions located outside of Nagorno-Garabagh were occupied, too. This aggression against Azerbaijan continues for more than 10 years.. 

Unfortunately, there is no progress in this field. In order to solve this conflict the norms of international law should be taken into account. The United Nations adopted 4 resolutions. These resolutions demand from Armenia the unconditional withdrawal of occupying army. Unfortunately, Armenia ignores the international laws. The position of Armenia is that Nagorno-Garabagh Armenians have the right to self-determination...

Norms of international law does not justify this opinion. Because the Armenians as a nation already made their self-determination. They have an independent country. This country is Armenia. Based on their logic, the Armenians have the right to self-determination everywhere, so that they live everywhere, in Russia, France, Africa, the United States. This is something which is not internationally recognized. Therefore, the methods used by them as a means of propaganda can not be taken seriously. The main principles of international law which are of importance, is the territorial integrity and sovereignty of each country. Azerbaijan recognizes the territorial integrity of each country in the world and we want the world to recognize our territorial integrity, and it should be restored. We will do everything to restore the territorial integrity. ...

... I hope that the international community and especially the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs of France, Russia and the United States will play a more active role in resolving this conflict. They will be able to convince Armenia that in the XXI century the occupation of territory of one country by another country is unacceptable...

...This conflict has not been solved for many years. Azerbaijan's position is fair and this position is based on the norms of international law. The norms of international law should be restored. Azerbaijan recognizes the territorial integrity of all other countries, and of course we demand that our territorial integrity be recognized and restored. This is our fair demand, and I am sure that there have to be and will be achievements in this direction because we live in the 21st century. In the 21st century, one country cannot occupy the land of another country.

Armenia's position is not based on any logic and violates all the norms of international law. What is Armenia's demand? In a nutshell, their demand is that the Armenians of Nagorno Garabagh should determine their fate themselves. First, I have to say that the Armenians living in Nagorno Garabagh came there, to the ancient Azerbaijani land, as guests. They came there in the 1820s and in this connection; a monument was erected in the Nagorno Garabagh capital of Khankendi to mark the 150th anniversary of the Armenians' arrival in Nagorno Garabagh. …

Nagorno Garabagh is Azerbaijani land, has always been Azerbaijani land and will be Azerbaijani land in the future. Azerbaijan will never put up with the loss of its territories and will

liberate its lands at all costs. I am very pleased that our fair position is being accepted by the OSCE Minsk Group which has been dealing with this issue in the recent period. 

….. The main problem faced by our country for a long time is occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia. This occupation started with aggressive separatism by Armenia against Azerbaijan. This policy resulted in the occupation of the former Nagorno Garabagh Autonomous Oblast and our 7 regions outside the administrative borders of the oblast. Armenians never lived in these 7 regions of Azerbaijan. They are areas settled only by Azerbaijanis ...

... This situation is going on more than 10 years. In May of this year will be the tenth year of the cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan and up to 10 years the negotiations had not results Of course, we can not reconcile this situation. Azerbaijan will never agree with the loss of the territory. The solution of the problem should be based on the international law. Azerbaijan's respects the territorial integrity of all countries in the world and demands respecting it, too occasion. Our territorial integrity must be restored. Armenian occupying forces should be withdrawn from occupied territories. The opportunity should be given to refugees, internally displaced persons for returning to their homes. In XXI century we should not allow to occupy a territory of one country-member of the Council of Europe - Azerbaijan by another member –country of the Council of Europe – Armenia.

... The aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan is the biggest threat in the region, a stable situation. I think that you are informed about the conflict. I would like to briefly tell about the conflict. Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Garabagh region is the historical land of Azerbaijan. Armenians have never lived there before. They were resettled in Nagorno-Garabagh in the early XIX century, from Iran and Turkey by the czar Russia. This was done for the purposes to get a support for Russia in the Caucasus ...

Our position in the settlement of the conflict based purely on the norms of international law and principles. In other words, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be restored, the victim of aggression, all refugees and displaced persons must return to their homes. After that, the highest status of autonomy can be granted to Nagorno-Garabagh within Azerbaijan. We studied the highest status of autonomy in the world, including in Europe. Thus, there is no need to invent something new. All possible options are on the able. But Armenians’ position is different. Their position is based on their desires and opinions. This position is in no way match with the norms of international law ....

... To continue in the future this aggressive policy will be very difficult for Armenia. Because the world is developing in the other direction. The processes of globalization occurring in the world, our close cooperation with the European Union, the ongoing processes of democratization in the world does not accept the policy based on aggression and rejects it. The policy and position of Azerbaijan is  based just on the norms of international law. That is each country’s territorial integrity, as well as of Azerbaijan, must be ensured. I have no doubt that at the result of the works done, our policy, as a result of diplomatic efforts, at the same time as a result of the strengthening of the economic potential we will be able to settle this issue by means of the negotiations, will achieve a fair solution by peaceful means. We look forward to it.

The potential of the peace negotiations had not expired yet. If there is any hope for peace talks, we have to try this way till the end and try to achieve it. However, at the same time, we should strengthen our economic potential, as well as military potential and works are being done in this direction.

From speech at meeting held under the chairmanship of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, dedicated to solution of the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, Baku, June 22, 2005

... We are committed to the peace process. Still we hope that this issue can be resolved in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. This is the most important issue for Azerbaijan and therefore Azerbaijan takes part in the negotiations. These negotiations are carried out by the OSCE Minsk Group. Co-chairs of the group are France, America and Russia. The basis of the problem is separatism. In other words, they want secession of the territory of Azerbaijan and to annex it to Armenia. Late 1980s - early 1990s, the territory of Azerbaijan was occupied by Armenian armed forces ...

... The center of Nagorno-Garabagh, is Khankendi city . In this case, it means "the village of Khan" means. The name of city was changed during the Soviets and named as Stepanakert, after the Bolshevik Stepan Shaumyan. He is Armenian. Again, I repeat that the historical point of view this place had never belonged to Armenia and Armenians never lived here. They were moved here, and later changed the name of places, historical monuments. Then, after they made a majority, they began separatism. These separatism tendencies also happened in other parts of the Soviet Union ...

... Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be restored. We are ready to grant to Armenians living in Nagorno-Garabagh the highest possible autonomy...

Now we live in the XXI century. That is why, of course, the international community should play a more active role in this field. Sometimes we are told that let us, you two countries agree in between. No, this way does not work. We must bring clarity to the question - what happened, who started the aggression first, whose land was occupied, who had carried out the policy of ethnic cleansing. Then, taking into account the results more clearly, we must find the path to the solution of the conflict on the basis of international principles. I think that we can go forward in this way.

... 20 percent of our lands are under occupation. Armenia conducted an ethnic cleansing policy of against Azerbaijan. We want to put an end to this occupation, so take part in the negotiation process. As you know, the process of negotiations goes on a new format and this format represents justice. Reflect the national interests of Azerbaijan and creates the necessary conditions for the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity. Azerbaijan must restore its territorial integrity. We want to do it by peaceful means, through negotiations. We do not want war. But at the same time, we must strengthen our military potential and we do it. This is our sovereign right ...

... We are the problem number one. All people, all of us concerned about the occupation of Azerbaijani lands. However, negotiations are underway for many years, we do not see serious progress. Due to Armenia's non-sincere, non-constructive policy, we can not reach any agreement. It is seen by the whole world community and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, which are directly involved in this issue, might have seen it.  

Azerbaijan's position is based on the norms of international law and our policy is supported in full by the world community, within the framework of international organizations, as well as by the bilateral relations. For the last four years I had numerous meetings with the heads of state and government of different countries in the world. In every document signed by each country the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized and supported. This shows that the international community, the political elite of the world considers it possible to solve this issue on the basis of the principles of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. There can not be any other base. Azerbaijan's territorial integrity can never be violated. Nagorno-Garabagh will never be independent. If the world community in the mid-1990s - at that time when Azerbaijan was not so strong from economic and political point of view, did not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Garabagh, at the current situation, at a period when a strong state was built in Azerbaijan, nobody will recognize it. Nagorno-Garabagh will never join to Armenia. The sooner it will be accepted in Armenia and Nagorno-Garabagh, it would be good for them. They consider that by stretching the time, delaying the negotiations artificially they will be able to get something. Never! Perhaps tit may favorable for some politicians, for their political career. But I do not believe that it would serve the state interests of the Republic of Armenia. Because, by passing time, our positions get strengthened.

... Historically, representatives of the Azerbaijan people had always lived in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh region,.  In 1828 representatives of the Armenian people have been resettled this area, and later they were in majority there, and this facilitated the start of a separatist manifestations. Today the regime of Nagorno-Karabakh was not recognized by anyone. It is in fact, driven by a criminal regime, illegal structure. No law works there, no international monitoring is held there, there criminalization, drug trafficking, terrorism happens and all these are very dangerous threat to the entire continent. Therefore, in the world, especially Europe, the number of uncontrolled zones is not so much.

It is a great danger that could undermine stability in the region. In terms of the norms of international law the United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from our territory, but they are not followed. Recently, the General Assembly of the UIN adopted a new resolution demanding withdrawal of occupying forces from our territory...

... Azerbaijan plays an important role in the ensuring the security and stability in the region and development of international cooperation However, more than 20 years, Azerbaijan was subjected to the military aggression by Armenia. Armenia has occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, and it had carried out the policy of ethnic cleansing. As a result, the country has more than 1 million refugees and internally displaced persons. The world community and international organizations recognize Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and supports the solution of the conflict within the framework of our country's territorial integrity, and fair manner in accordance with the norms of international law. There are 4 Resolutions of the UN Security Council, relevant decisions and resolutions of the OSCE, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, NATO and other international organizations on the conflict. Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Garabagh conflict should be settled only in accordance with the principles of international law within Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

... There are numerous historical and religious monuments in other regions of Azerbaijan, and they are protected by the state. However, as a result of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, we can not preserve our historical heritage in the occupied territories. Because our lands are under occupation. As a result of this aggression and ethnic cleansing policy, 20 percent of our territory has been occupied, for more than one million of our compatriots living in the state of refugees and displaced persons. At the same time, all the historical monuments destroyed by Armenians. All the museums were looted, all religious tombs, mosques were destroyed. It is at the same time, was stressed by international observers. In 2005, during the OSCE fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Garabagh and other occupied territories, all this was given in the report prepared during the visit. It was stated that everything was destroyed by Armenia. In other words, it is the result of Armenian vandalism; this is a result of the aggressive policy of occupying. No doubt after liberation of our lands, we will restore all our historical monuments. We will restore all the cities, will build all the buildings. But to do so the conflict is to be put an end. Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Garabagh conflict must end. Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be restored and our citizens must return to their homeland ...

.. We are using all the opportunities that to solve this issue fairly, in accordance with the norms of international law. And to increase our economic potential, our diplomatic efforts. At the same time, we increase our military force and the military parade held in the last year, demonstrated and proved to the world how much of our potential is, what a strong army we have. We want to resolve the issue peacefully. However, at the same time, we try to solve the issue fairly, in accordance with the norms of international law, within the framework of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. The so-called regime of Nagorno-Garabagh will never be independent. Azerbaijan will never reconcile with the loss of their lands ...

.... We try and will try to solve the issue through negotiations. But for 15 years - after the conclusion of a cease-fire regime the talks did not give any results. In this case, of course, we should rely on power of our army. For this purpose, in recent years on a regular basis, practical measures have been taken to strengthen the force of the army. Today, our army is the most powerful army in the region. Military units, able to perform any duty are operative in the armed forces and for the restoration of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, in cases of necessity we are able to use military force. This is our sovereign right. The international law enables us to do it. 

.From the speech of  Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev  at joint operational-tactical training of units of Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service and the Internal Troops, Baku,  June 24, 2009

... In 1918, after Azerbaijan declared independence, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan adopted a resolution that the next day that city of Yerevan shall be given to Armenia as the capital. The city of Yerevan was city of one of the khanate where Azerbaijanis lived.

Historically this is the case. They have created already a state of Azerbaijani lands. Second Armenian state can not be established in our lands again. Azerbaijan will never agree on that and it will never happen. As sooner the Armenian side will understand it, this would be better for them and us. Thus, the issue will be resolved soon. Then peace can be established in the Caucasus. Because without solving Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Garabagh conflict, any other initiative and the project with political content in the region may not be carried out. And all attempts to remove the Nagorno-Garabagh conflict topic from all topics on general development in the region and the creation of new relationships will be in vain. It will not work. Because this is the main problem and the main obstacle to be eliminated. Azerbaijan has the full right to restore its territorial integrity...

... I want to reiterate that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity was and will never been the subject of discussion. Our position is based on the international legal norms, but also on historical justice and the real logic. Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be restored. Armenian occupying forces should be withdrawn from all occupied lands. After that peace can be established, all communications can be opened. Today, the Armenians living in Nagorno Garabagh and Azerbaijanis that will return and live there will coexist within the framework of the status of high autonomy. They must live within the unitary Azerbaijani state. In other words, neither in these days, no in future there will be mechanisms capable of separating Nagorno Garabagh from Azerbaijan. At negotiations it has been explicitly stated. In this case, I want to say once again that the latest proposals may be the basis for the preparation of the agreement.

However, the position of Armenia once again shows that the Armenian side does not want peace. They are simply trying to stretch maximum the position of the status quo, as much as possible. They do not want to leave the occupied territories. They want to continue this occupation. They try to show as if they are loyal to negotiations. They simply try, to stretch this negotiation process and to make it further as permanent, eternal one...

... As you know, recently, the Organization of Islamic Conference passed resolutions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Garabagh conflict, with very positive and consistent arguments. These resolutions fully support the position of Azerbaijan, that is, justice. A week ago a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on this issue based on international law, and there Armenia is shown as aggressor, an aggressor state. It is clearly shown that by using force to break the borders of any country, to reconcile with the status quo is impossible. It is clearly stated that this situation - no peace, no war, can not be last, and Azerbaijani lands must be the liberated....

... You know, for many years, negotiations are carried out between Armenia and Azerbaijan in this direction. Mediators play a role in the negotiations. However, the issue was not resolved to this day. Despite there are decisions of international organizations to reinforce our position, the position of truth and justice. Almost all the leading organizations of the world' have adopted their decisions on this issue. However, the occupying state ignores these decisions, resolutions. In this case, Azerbaijan has to have the new tasks. Either to continue the talks, - we are ready for it, but provided that there would be outcomes of the negotiation, - or to choose the other way. We should be ready for any variant, and my statements given several times in recent years have once again proved it. 

 We have never denied the existence of possible military solution to the problem. However, we are in favor of peace and 20 years of peace negotiations, peace talks are underway. Azerbaijan demonstrates the constructive position in the negotiations. There is no result of this. How long the people of Azerbaijan will wait? How long we have to wait for justice to be restored? If the Armenian side ignores norms of international law, does not comply with the decisions of international organizations. Azerbaijani people's patience is not inexhaustible...

... We pay special attention to issues of regional security. The biggest problem, the greatest difficulties, and in fact one of the biggest threats is no war, no peace situation in the region, the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Garabagh conflict. For several years territories of Azerbaijan are under occupation. Armenia had implemented a policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis and as a result, more than one million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons had to leave their homes. Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory is under occupation. Unfortunately, two decades that this situation continues. Nagorno-Garabagh conflict is not just the greatest injustice but as well as a great threat to regional security, stability..

A statement issued recently by the leaders of the countries of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs inspires us. France, Russian Federation, the United States leaders noted that the status quo needs to be changed, it can not be kept more. In fact, it was also noted during a meeting with chairman Barroso that the status quo to be replaced. Changing the status quo in turn, means the liberation of the occupied territories. We are in favor of it, we're working on it. Armenia, on the contrary, tries to keep the status-quo as far as possible for a long period of time. Now if the case is changing the status quo goes, then it is a time of the liberation of the occupied territories and the restoration of peace time, the time has come.

... You, the Azerbaijanis living world, know well that Nagorno-Garabagh is historical and native land of Azerbaijan. Throughout the centuries, our people have lived and worked on those areas. The Armenians came to this place as a guest. We are well aware of the history of their settlement in Nagorno-Garabagh. In the past, Armenians had erected the monument in 1978 reflecting the settlement of Armenians in Nagorno-Garabagh. Armenians in the first years of the war destroyed that monument. However, it is not possible to change the history.

The history is history. Armenians marking 150th anniversary of their settlement in Garabagh in 1978, know well that they came to these lands as a guest. Not only Nagorno-Garabagh’s history but history of present-day Armenia was formed in the territory of Azerbaijan. Erivan khanate, Zangezur mahal are our historical territories. If we look at the map, we can see that as a result of giving Zangezur to Armenia from Azerbaijan the Turkic world had been divided geographically. In other words, giving of Zangezur to Armenia had very negative consequences. Now we do not claim that these lands to be unite to Azerbaijan. However, each and every citizen, every child should know their history. They should know that these regions are the historical Azerbaijani lands. To solve the problem, of course, all factors should be considered. History is clear. This is our land, not only Nagorno-Garabagh and other areas. International law supports our position fully. In the statement of heads of states of Minsk Group co-chair the Helsinki Final Act is referred. This Act clearly states that the principles of territorial integrity of nations must not be in contradiction to right of self-determination. Thus, from the legal point of view our position is   strong. ...

... The most important task facing the country is settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Garabagh conflict. Our lands are under occupation. This injustice, unfortunately, dominates many years. However, all international human rights norms, historical truth support our position. We all know that Nagorno-Garabagh is the historical Azerbaijani land. Political relations and political weights in the region clearly proves the superiority of Azerbaijan. Economic advantage and military superiority. For all these features we dominate over Armenia. It was noted, religious figures have stated that our cause is right case. We have not occupied any land, and we have no such plans. Despite of present-day Armenia was established on the territory of the historical Azerbaijani lands. We want to restore its territorial integrity.

It is our right. We have strength to do it. Simply we want the blood would not shed; the issue is solved in a peaceful way, through negotiations. But at the same time, we`ll never take a step back from our principled position. I want to reiterate our position is based on the historical truth, on the norms of international law. Nagorno-Garabagh is historical, native Azerbaijani land and from legal point of view it is Azerbaijani land. Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is recognized by the whole world, and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity should be restored including Nagorno-Garabagh ...

... We try to restore the territorial integrity without shedding the blood. To this end, negotiations are underway. Still, it had no the results. At the same time, to restore our territorial integrity by any means, including military means, is our sovereign right. This right is given us by the Charter of the United Nations. Each state may use and should all our means to defend self. Therefore, we will allot additional funds to increase military power. We will take additional measures to strengthen the military potential. Of course, besides all these measures taken, combat readiness, enthusiasm should play an importance in battlefield. ... 

The current independent state of Azerbaijan is treated with great respect in the world. Number of our partners increases, the international positions strengthens. The international community believes in us. At the end of last year we were elected a member of the UN Security Council. 155 countries supported us. Armenia in a cowardly way went out the struggle. They knew that even not 10-29 countries will support it. This shows that what our political weight is. We always have to build an army, allot funds. Parades held show our strength in the military. There is every opportunity to restore our territorial integrity. We know it, so does the enemy, and intermediaries dealing with this issue. There is one condition to get peace.  Armenian occupying forces in our lands, must be rejected from our land. Still, it is not too late.

The main task before the country is a solution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Unfortunately, there are no results in this direction. Armenia, for many years, violating international law roughly, does not follow the norms of international law. It ignores resolutions of the world's leading international organizations. The condition of no war, no peace continues. But the war is not over yet. Just 1st phase of the war was ended. We all hope that the second period of the war would not be started. However, to achieve it Armenia has to comply with the norms of international law and must withdraw from the occupied territories ...