The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry circulated a statement due to September 27-Memorial Day

Baku/27.09.21/Turan: The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry circulated a statement due to  September 27 - Memorial Day timed to the anniversary of the 44-day war.

The statement reads: "A year ago today, the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan got down to retaliatory measures to prevent another military provocation of the Armenian armed forces of the Republic of Armenia.

Note that these measures were taken as a part of the right to self-defense in full compliance with international humanitarian law with a view of preventing another military aggression by Armenia and ensuring the safety of the civilian population. This marked the start of the 44-day Patriotic War.

It is worth reminding that the Patriotic War put an end to the aggressive policy of Armenia that lasted for about 30 years. In so doing, Azerbaijan secured its territorial integrity and reinstated the fundamental rights of approx. a million Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijan single-handedly enforced appropriate UN Security Council resolutions of 1993.

It has to noted that the termination of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands revealed decades-long illegal activities of Armenia on these lands. This refers to mass burial of mines, targeted destruction, appropriation of the historical, cultural, religious heritage of Azerbaijan, looting of natural resources, destruction of infrastructure and other infractions of the international law. Also, facts of numerous Armenian war crimes were found. Azerbaijan appealed to the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice to hold Armenia accountable for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.

In line with the Trilateral Statement of November 10, 2020, the Government of Azerbaijan which is currently engaged in reconstructing and rehabilitating the liberated territories, taking appropriate steps to ensure the safe and dignified return of approx.1 million Azerbaijani internally displaced persons to their homes, to ensure sustainable peace, security and well-being in the region.

Note that the victory won by the armed forces of the country led by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, inaugurated a new era in the history of Azerbaijan to change the realities in the region and establish international justice.

Azerbaijan is set for normalizing relations with Armenia on the basis of strict compliance with the principles of international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders. We call on Armenia to respect these fundamental principles in full compliance with its international obligations in the name of peace, security and prosperity in the region.

It is important to note that on September 27 as a Memorial Day of Azerbaijan by order of the President of the country, we honor with deep respect and reverence the dear memory of all the martyrs who gave their blood for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan."—0—