Aliyev’s Message to Muslim Countries on Karabakh Conflict

Azerbaijan will never agree to the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. This was stated by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in an interview with the TV channel Al Jazeera.

“Karabakh is an ancient and historical part of Azerbaijan,” he said, recalling that the mass settlement of Armenians to the region began after the accession of Azerbaijan to Russia in the early XIX.

In the early twentieth century as a result of the Bolshevik Revolution, Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union, and then, the Soviet government decided to create the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region.

“International organizations have adopted many decisions and resolutions, especially UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Unfortunately, those who adopted these resolutions do not respect their own decisions. Though more than 20 years have passed, these resolutions remain on paper and are not implemented, and we witness the policy of double standards towards Azerbaijan, because, in some cases, the UN Security Council's decisions are executed within a few days. With regard to our question, it has taken more than 20 years. Armenia ignores these resolutions as well as the decisions of other international organizations,” Aliyev said.

To resolve the conflict, first of all, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has to be restored, the Armenian occupying forces have to be withdrawn from the occupied territories, and Azerbaijanis have to experience the right to return to the entire occupied territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh. “After that, the region will be restored to the world. No decision can be taken outside the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan will never agree to the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh,” Aliyev continued.

At the same time he pointed out that mosques are destroyed in the occupied territories.

“This attack is not only on the historical heritage of Azerbaijan, but at the same time on the Islamic values, Islamic historical legacy. Therefore, Armenia's attempts to strengthen or sometimes to normalize relations with some Muslim countries cause great surprise. I believe the resolution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, openly recognizing Armenia as an aggressor, should be the main message to any of the Muslim countries willing to develop relations with Armenia,” Aliyev said.  -06D--