Aliyev to Blinken: anti-terrorist measures will stop if Armenians disarm

Baku/20.09.23/Turan: On September 19, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

During the discussion, the leaders exchanged perspectives on the prevailing circumstances in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev drew attention to the presence of Armenian armed forces' intelligence-sabotage groups in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, who had planted mines with the intent of carrying out acts of terrorism. These actions resulted in casualties among civilians and police officers, as well as attacks on Azerbaijani army units involving mortar fire and various calibers of small arms.

Aliyev emphasized that these actions, including the so-called "presidential elections" held in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on September 9, were a continuation of deliberate provocations by Armenia and the so-called separatist entity it has established and supports, all of which undermine Azerbaijan's sovereignty.

In order to counter these provocative actions, President Aliyev explained that Azerbaijan had initiated localized anti-terror measures in the region. He made clear that these measures exclusively target legitimate military objectives, with a commitment to avoiding harm to the civilian population and vital infrastructure.

 Aliyev highlighted that the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration had extended multiple invitations to representatives of Armenian residents in the Karabakh region to engage in dialogue regarding reintegration matters, though these overtures were initially declined. However, new invitations were extended when the anti-terror measures persisted, with the assurance that the measures would cease if weapons were laid down and disarmament occurred.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern about the situation and called for an immediate ceasefire. He emphasized the United States' support for direct dialogue between Baku and representatives of Armenian residents residing in the Karabakh region.--0--