Ilham Aliyev calls on the Azerbaijani ambassador to work with NGOs and the media of the host countries

Baku/22.09.12/Tran: Settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict  is the main question of foreign policy of Azerbaijan,  said President Ilham Aliyev, speaking yesterday at a meeting of ambassadors of the country abroad.

He stressed that Azerbaijan will  continue to increase diplomatic efforts in this direction.

 "Today, the gap between Armenia and Azerbaijan is great. Our economy is highly advanced. Only our military spending exceed by two times the entire budget of Armenia," said Aliyev.

Armenia is in a desperate situation. "If there is no  foreign aid, loans, donations from Diaspora, the economy  of the country will  fail. According to official data, the export of Armenia consists of "ridiculous" goods, including frogs,  said Aliyev.

In his view,  the  demographic situation is even worse. Every year  hundred thousand people leave Armenia, and this process continues, it is impossible to stop as long as Armenia continues to set territorial claims to its neighbors, Aliyev said. Now if Armenia does not agree with the proposals on the Karabakh conflict settlement, which lay on the table, and does not withdraw its troops from the occupied territories, it will have great troubles in the future.

"The world is changing,  there will be  time when each country will have to defend their interests. Azerbaijan is ready, and so we have been fighting alone for 20 years, defending their interests against the forces that are greater than we," said Aliyev. The presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group declare unacceptable status quo. However, the aggressor should be given very serious signals that "if you do not get away from our lands, then Azerbaijan will settle this problem  in other way." "So,  when the priority of  peaceful resolution is constantly voiced, it is - wrong signal for Armenia,  that do not worry, the issue will be resolved peacefully, so you can tighten. I have repeatedly expressed our partners my opinion about it. We, too, want peace, but once again I want to say, that first of all, our citizens must return to the occupied lands," said Aliyev.

An important area of ​​foreign policy,  Aliyev called the recognition  of the Khojaly genocide. Some success have been  obtained, and the Khojaly tragedy has been  recognized by  Mexico, Pakistan, Colombia.

"Our ambassadors, representatives of embassies should raise this issue whenever it is possible. This genocide has been recognized at various levels," Aliyev continued. The President also announced the intention of Azerbaijan to expand investment activities abroad. Azerbaijani companies, both public and private, should enter foreign markets, as investors, contractors, and contractors. Ambassadors must also ensure the operation of Azerbaijani companies, the president said.

Another prior direction of diplomatic missions should be to continuation of  work with Diaspora organizations. In addition, Aliyev instructed the embassies, ​​along with the work of government agencies, to establish contacts with NGOs and the media, including the opposition Armenian lobby.

Another reason for the anti-Azerbaijani campaign Aliyev  is a desire to put pressure on Azerbaijan because of its independent policy, and make concessions. "We  observed  it  during the "Eurovision" song context,  and before. However, these campaigns  did not have any impact. No one can influence the will and policy of Azerbaijan," said Aliyev.

He also said the security of all freedoms, including freedom of conscience. "Some countries have to learn from Azerbaijan. Those countries that artificially increase Islamophobic tendencies, let come and learn from us how to build interfaith relations," said Aliyev. –06D-