Baku is ready for direct talks with Yerevan – Ilham Aliyev

Baku/11.09.23/Turan: If Yerevan refuses Russia's mediation, direct negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia may become an alternative, president Ilham Aliyev stated  receiving participants of the 53rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member states in Baku.

On September 19, this year, an anti-terrorist operation was carried out in Karabakh and the local military contingent - 10-15 thousand people - was completely disarmed. Civilian infrastructure, civilian facilities and civilians were not affected, and the entire operation lasted less than 24 hours.

The Armenian formations were demoralized and, in fact, surrendered. Today, the process of cleaning up the territories from gangs is underway. According to our data, there are still groups hiding in this territory. The territory is quite large, so it will take time to completely clean up the territory, Aliyev said.  

He accused the "patrons of Armenia in the West" of a false campaign against Azerbaijan, singling out France, which is trying to discredit Azerbaijan. According to Aliyev, the "provocative role of the leadership of this country" began in 2020 and continues now. A country that has a "bloody colonial past" cannot blame Azerbaijan. "We don't need such intermediaries," Aliyev stressed.

"On October 12, at the suggestion of the Russian side, a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia was to be held in Bishkek. We take Russia's mediation with gratitude, because Russia is our neighbor and ally, as well as an ally of Armenia, this country is located in our region, unlike those who are thousands of kilometers away.

We took this proposal positively, and our Foreign Minister was ready to meet with his Russian and Armenian colleagues. Unfortunately, the Armenian side refused this meeting. Now the question arises: does Armenia want peace? I think not, because if I wanted peace, I wouldn't give up this opportunity.

The Prime Minister of Armenia flies to Granada for 6 hours, participates in an incomprehensible meeting there, where Azerbaijan is discussed without Azerbaijan, and he cannot fly to Bishkek for 2-3 hours, he has important things to do," Aliyev continued.

Azerbaijan is ready to normalize relations with Armenia. We are ready to continue working on a peace treaty. If Russia's mediation is rejected by Armenia, direct negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia may become an alternative. Other sites will be analyzed by us taking into account the attitude of those countries that offer their services, Ilham Aliyev said in conclusion. ---0---