Khalaf Khalafov Commented on Situation around Keshikchidag

Baku / 27.05.19 / Turan: After the collapse of the USSR in accordance with international law, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia automatically became the legal successors of the administrative borders that existed between them. Subsequently, these borders became state borders and were taken under the control of the border services of the two countries.

This opinion was expressed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, commenting at the request of journalists on the statement of his Georgian colleague that at the recent meeting of the commission on delimitation the question was raised that "it is important not to take steps that can contribute to the formation of such a perception that the status quo could be changed."

The fact is that the border has always been at Keshikchidag, and it was guarded and is guarded by border services from our and the Georgian side, said Khalafov.

Transitions to the caves in the Keshikchidag nature reserve, at the request of the Georgian side and on mutual agreement, were carried out by Georgian pilgrims under the control of Azerbaijani border guards. This is also the case today. As for the implementation of some economic and other work on its territory, this is the sovereign right of each party, the Azerbaijani diplomat said.

It should be noted that in recent days, a number of public and religious leaders of Georgia expressed dissatisfaction with the construction of a highway on the Azerbaijani side to the Keshikchidag nature reserve. -06D--