Reintegration

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Question: How should proceed the process of reintegration of the territories liberated from occupation?

Answer: You will probably agree that the reintegration of the liberated regions means the full return of these regions to the political, economic, social and cultural life of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the gradual elimination of the differences in their status from other regions. Of course, this process will take time, effort and will, and requires considerable costs. If we want to accelerate this process, and with less costs, then we need high-quality planning of the upcoming work, maximum transparency; accountability of expenses; participation of citizens in it, ensuring at a high level of activity of civil society institutions.

In all likelihood, the government of Azerbaijan is working to ensure  that the implemented programs have a clear time frame for each activity and are accompanied by appropriate indicators that provide an assessment of the results. I would very much like these programs to be made public so that about 700 thousand people who will return to these regions know in what sequence and approximately in what time frame the "big return" will occur. The  overwhelming majority of these people are looking forward to returning to their homelands. And, as far as I know, a significant part of these people wants to start restoring their hearths, houses, gardens and orchards. But, they are not allowed there under the pretext of demining and preparing infrastructure (roads, utilities, communications, etc.).

Naturally, the areas must be cleared first. However, after all, there are also non-mined territories, for example, Zangilan, Gubadli,  and Lachin. The return of people is also delayed here.  But, the speedy return of these areas to life, filling them with residents also means strengthening the security of the borders.

For example, suppose a resident of the village of Gubadli region wants to visit his house (which is most likely destroyed), his courtyard. He wants to estimate how much the restoration work will cost, what building materials will be needed, i.e., this person wants to plan his return to his native land and prepare for this.

 Why not let him do it?   This is not easy to understand. Organizing 2-3-day trips for people to their native villages will only make them happy. They will be able to familiarize with the situation on the spot and start planning their return and rebuilding their homes. After all, these people have lived for 30 years in anticipation of their return. Megaprojects are definitely important. But the process of returning people to their homes should not delay. Both processes should run in parallel.  People should be given the opportunity to go to  their homes for at least a few days, see the state of their homes, plan the return of their families, start saving money, stock up on building materials, etc. They only need some financial help. Various financial support mechanisms can be launched, including gratuitous aid and concessional lending. Our state has enough strength for all this. Only in this way, with the direct participation of people the speediest revival of the liberated regions is possible. In general, my impression is that today the restoration of the liberated regions is the main concern of the leadership of Azerbaijan. It is obvious, but it is also obvious that the return of people to their native lands is relegated to the background. It should not be so.

Question: How to resolve the issue with the Karabakh Armenians who want to live in Azerbaijan? After all, they are also considered citizens of Azerbaijan. Is it possible for Armenians and Azerbaijanis to live together in Nagorno-Karabakh? Judging by what they write on social networks, neither the Armenians nor the Azerbaijanis want this. How to be?

Answer: Recently, the head of state spoke about the Common Caucasian House. Great idea. The construction of the Common Caucasian House and the well-being of the people living in it, not least, depends on the good relations of its inhabitants. As we see today on the example of Switzerland which can be a model of the Common Caucasian House. The question may arise: can the relations between the Karabakh Armenians and the Turks improve in principle? Of course, this is a very difficult question, but it is possible. This is proved by the world’s and our own history.

Has not this relationship improved after the bloody events of the beginning of the last century? The relationship was not perfect, but it was quite normal. Naturally, and now the relationship can again gradually improve. Step by step we can move in this direction.

The main condition for the normalization of relations is the harsh punishment of those who find themselves guilty of ethnic conflicts. This should be clearly stated and everyone should learn it well. Our peoples had to learn this lesson in the last century under the harsh Soviet regime. The younger generation does not know about this, but the older generation, I think, remembers these lessons very well. If severe punishment does not follow now, then mutual insults, abuse and conflicts will continue. Along with punishment, there are other ways to improve gradually relations, which can be launched in parallel. For example, in the spheres of economy, business relations, culture, etc. Dozens of mechanisms can be launched. For example, mechanisms for stimulating joint business projects, or free market zones in border  districks, etc. Dozens of mechanisms are possible to stimulate and motivate processes in the direction of improving relations.

Providing these conditions requires will and patience. Even some expenses will be required. It should also be noted that the intelligentsia, the elders of both sides could also contribute to the development of processes in a positive direction. In Soviet times, there was a popular song “Hayastan and Azerbaijan became brothers”. Of course, the possibility of our fraternization with them is extremely problematic, but maintaining normal relations and mutually beneficial cooperation is possible.

The Azerbaijani side at the highest level announced the possibility of the Armenians living in Karabakh to become citizens of Azerbaijan again. Of course, it is impossible to do this by force; they themselves must make this decision. From a technical point of view, this is not a problem. For example, an ASAN branch opens in Khankendi (Stepanakert) (at the first stage, employees of which may be Azerbaijanis of Russian origin, and then they can be replaced by local Armenians who have restored their citizenship. Residents of the city wishing to return Azerbaijani citizenship will have to appeal to ASAN with an application. Applications will be considered as soon as possible (to check if the applicant was a citizen of Azerbaijan during the Soviet era or, if he is under 30 years old, were his parents citizens of Azerbaijan? The purpose of this check is clear, to find out if this person is from Syria, Lebanon or any other foreign country), after which he will be issued an identity card and a passport. Rural residents who wish to restore Azerbaijani citizenship can contact the mobile service ASAN. That is, from a technical point of view, I do not see any particular problem.

Question: There is a problem that worries internally displaced persons. Conditions for safe living with Armenians. Because the coexistence of two nations at war for more than 30 years will cause incidents. How should this issue be regulated?

Answer: The return of the Azerbaijani Turks who lived in Khankendi during the Soviet era is problematic in the near future. But if relations improve, if Armenians begin to renew their Azerbaijani citizenship, then this process will become possible. The situation is similar with the return of Armenians to Shusha. There is no other way to ensure the safety of these people.  It is impossible to put a guard on everyone.

Question: What can guarantee stability in the region? Who can be sure that two nations will live there together, which have been at war with each other for many years?

Answer: So far, Russia is the guarantor of stability. But, unfortunately, the fact that Russia acted as a guarantor is connected not only and, I think, not so much with her peacemaking aspirations. Strengthening Russia's position in the South Caucasus is included in the price of returning our territories. And the transformation of Azerbaijan into a guarantor of stability in Karabakh is possible by improving relations with the Armenians. True, according to the agreement signed on November 10, after 5 years, Azerbaijan or Armenia may unilaterally demand that the Russian peacekeepers leave the territory. But I personally do not believe in the reality of this unilateral demand. There are 3 options for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the region: 1) the Russian government for some reason comes to this decision itself; 2) some world force is urging Russia to do this; 3) Azerbaijan and Armenia jointly demand that Russian troops leave our territories. Only with this, the third option, we can become "players". And it is possible with the improvement of relations.

Question: In 1988-1992 350 thousand people were forced to flee from Armenia to Azerbaijan. Even the state of Western Azerbaijan (Irevan) in emigration was proclaimed. These people are our compatriots who lived in the territory of Armenia and were expelled from there. They also want to return to their land. They must also be considered citizens of Armenia. How will their fate be decided? Azerbaijan is ready to recognize the Armenians living in the country, including in Nagorno-Karabakh, as its citizens. Shouldn't Armenia also recognize Azerbaijanis as its citizens in this case? Shouldn't such issues be the subject of negotiations between the two states?

Answer: We are still far from such negotiations. It all depends on the development of relations between Armenians and Azerbaijani Turks. Again, it is appropriate to recall the construction of the All-Caucasian House, proposed by the head of state. If the processes go in this direction, then everyone will be able to live in peace  wherever he pleases. As in Switzerland.

Question: What can be done to restore stability in the region, to end the conflict between the two peoples once and for all?

Answer: I think I have already answered this question. Much can be done, but it depends on desire, will, courage and patience on both sides.