The authoritative Italian newspaper Il Giornale published an extensive interview of Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mammad Ahmadzada. We are republishing the interview for Pakistani readers so that they can be aware of the latest situation.
In the interview, the diplomat spoke about the next military aggression of the Armenian armed forces against Azerbaijan since September 27, the operations carried out by Azerbaijan within the right of self-defense, the political, legal and humanitarian aspects of the conflict, as well as Italy’s position on the current situation.
Answering the journalist’s question about the moral aspects of the current armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ambassador said that Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions of Azerbaijan have been under Armenian military occupation for 30 years: “This is a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Armenia’s attempts to present otherwise are unacceptable. . The main targets are Azerbaijani settlements and civilians near the front line, both from the occupied territories and from Armenia’s own territories, which have been bombed by the Armenian armed forces with heavy artillery. For many years, Azerbaijan has been subjected to a great injustice, the occupation of 20 percent of our territories; Memory of the Khojaly genocide and the existence of more than one million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs, Like all Azerbaijani citizens, it does not allow me to breathe easily. This conflict is open in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people. Our hearts beat with Karabakh, this is a matter of national morality for Azerbaijan. I was very impressed these days when I saw pictures of our flag, a symbol of our national identity, being waved by our brave soldiers in the liberated areas. We are looking forward to the day when our flag will be raised in Shusha, the pearl of Azerbaijan and of high moral value for our people. Azerbaijani soldiers are determined to take back our occupied lands. This is not the case for Armenian soldiers who realize that it is time to give up their territories. We see that the deep concern of the Armenian side has led him to conduct another false campaign against Azerbaijan.
Answering a question on how the conflict turned into an armed confrontation, Ahmadzadeh noted that the talks within the OSCE Minsk Group, which lasted for about 30 years, were ineffective and due to the destructiveness and constant provocations of the Armenian side: “Despite the occupation of our territories, Azerbaijan He tried to resolve the conflict peacefully by negotiating within the OSCE Minsk Group. Negotiations, which lasted for almost 30 years, did not yield any results, as in recent years Armenia has always tried to disrupt the talks in order to prolong the process and continue the status quo. In the example of Nicole Pashkina, the new revolutionary dictatorship of Armenia has further complicated the process, going beyond the previous military-criminal junta. Against the backdrop of growing dissatisfaction with Pashinyan’s failure to deliver on his miraculous promises to the people, as well as his use of dictatorial methods to neutralize rivals, suppress alternative voices and civil society, he sought to inflame Azerbaijani aphobia in the country by radicalizing his position on Nagorno-Karabakh. With his irresponsible actions and provocative statements, Pashinyan tried to change the format of the talks in order to involve the so-called regime in the occupied territories in the negotiations, saying “Nagorno-Karabakh is Armenia.” hit the peace process by saying. Then the “swearing-in ceremony” of the leader of the puppet regime in Shusha, the announcements of the Armenian Defense Minister “a new war for new territories”, In July, Armenian military provocations, combat and shooting training courses with the participation of the prime minister’s wife, and the relocation of Armenians from Lebanon to the illegally occupied territories led to the current tensions in the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan, where strategic infrastructure for transporting hydrocarbons from Azerbaijan to European markets, especially Italy. were factors. These are just a few of Pashkina’s many tricks aimed at undermining the negotiation process. The fact that the new Armenian dictator put forward seven absurd conditions gave grounds to say that in fact Armenia withdrew from the negotiation process. Fighting and shooting training courses with the participation of the Prime Minister’s wife and the resettlement of Armenians from Lebanon to the illegally occupied territories were all factors that led to the current tensions. These are just a few of Pashkina’s many tricks aimed at undermining the negotiation process. The fact that the new Armenian dictator put forward seven absurd conditions gave grounds to say that in fact Armenia withdrew from the negotiation process. Fighting and shooting training courses with the participation of the Prime Minister’s wife and the resettlement of Armenians from Lebanon to the illegally occupied territories were all factors that led to the current tensions. These are just a few of Pashkina’s many tricks aimed at undermining the negotiation process. The fact that the new Armenian dictator put forward seven absurd conditions gave grounds to say that in fact Armenia withdrew from the negotiation process.
Drawing attention to the process of preparation of Armenia for new military provocations in recent months, Ahmadzadeh said: “In recent months, Armenia has significantly increased the import of weapons and military equipment and continued to intensively expand the air attack system. After the announcement of the establishment of a national “militia group” of one hundred thousand “volunteers” and the sending of these groups by the Armenian military to the occupied territories and the state border between the two countries. All this was done because Armenia was preparing for a new war. In this regard, in the morning of September 27, the Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani settlements and military positions. mortars and artillery of various calibers began to fire intensively from different directions. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces had to carry out counter-offensive and retaliatory measures in full compliance with the right to self-defense and international humanitarian law to prevent a new military aggression by Armenia and to ensure the security of the civilian population. Let me note that as a result of the Armenian armed forces targeting civilian objects and civilians, 19 civilians, including two children, were killed and 55 civilians were injured. Private and public facilities were damaged. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces had to carry out counter-offensive and retaliatory measures in full compliance with the right to self-defense and international humanitarian law to prevent a new military aggression by Armenia and to ensure the security of the civilian population. Let me note that as a result of the Armenian armed forces targeting civilian objects and civilians, 19 civilians, including two children, were killed and 55 civilians were injured. Private and public facilities were damaged. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces had to carry out counter-offensive and retaliatory measures in full compliance with the right to self-defense and international humanitarian law to prevent a new military aggression by Armenia and to ensure the security of the civilian population. Let me note that as a result of the Armenian armed forces targeting civilian objects and civilians, 19 civilians, including two children, were killed and 55 civilians were injured. Private and public facilities were damaged.
Answering the journalist’s question about the differences between the April 2016 fighting and the current armed conflict, the ambassador said that Azerbaijan was conducting operations within the framework of the right to self-defense: “In both cases, the conflict is taking place in Azerbaijan. In both cases, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are fighting to ensure the security of the civilian population living near the line of contact and to protect the territorial integrity of our country in the sovereign territory and within the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In both cases, Armenia attacks civilian settlements, spreads false information and uses various methods and tactics, including involving third parties in the conflict. As before, This time, too, Armenia is trying to present itself as a peace-loving country, begging various countries to end operations and talk to Azerbaijan, trying to create a miserable image of itself. However, the real goal of Armenia is to ensure the preservation of the occupied Azerbaijani lands and to maintain the status quo. This time, the international community must not believe Armenia’s false calls for peace and demand that Yerevan withdraw its occupying forces from Azerbaijani territory. Because the settlement of the conflict is possible only after the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan. As for the difference, this time it should be noted that the geography of the confrontation is wider than in 2016, given that the attacks of the opposite side are from different directions.
Answering the reporter’s question about Azerbaijan’s expectations from the international community, Ahmadzadeh said that Azerbaijan expects the international community to be on the side of justice and demands the immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories in accordance with four UN Security Council resolutions. . Calling on the parties to cease hostilities without demanding the withdrawal of Armenian troops serves Armenia’s occupation of its territories. Armenia’s behavior after the end of hostilities in April 2016 suggests that this time the international community should not believe the country’s false promises and demand that Armenia liberate its territories. As noted by President Ilham Aliyev,
Answering the journalist’s question about the role of Turkey, the diplomat said: “There are many fake reports in the media these days aimed at deliberately deceiving the international community as a result of Armenian provocations. First of all, I would like to note the stabilizing role of Turkey in the region and its close friend and ally for Azerbaijan. Turkey’s support is only moral support. Turkey is not a party to the conflict, does not participate in any way, and there is no need for that. The Azerbaijani army is ready to protect its people and territory. At present, there are no foreign fighters on the Azerbaijani side on the front. Azerbaijan has a trained army and a huge mobilization reserve. Compared to Armenia, which has a population of two million, our country, which has a population of 10 million, does not need human resources.
Stressing the issue of Armenia bringing mercenaries from Syria and Lebanon to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the diplomat said: “As stated before the fighting and confirmed by these battles, Armenia relocated people from Syria and Lebanon to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan to use as mercenaries. At the same time, in an interview with Al Jazeera, the Armenian president embarrassed himself in front of a large audience and confirmed that foreign fighters were fighting on Armenia’s side: “They are ethnic Armenians and although they are citizens of different countries, there is nothing wrong with fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.” We accept the participation of Armenians from different countries in military operations.
Answering a question about the possibility of a peaceful solution to the conflict, Ahmadzadeh said that in order to do so, the Armenian armed forces must first withdraw from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Answering the journalist’s question about Italy’s position on the conflict, the diplomat drew attention to the “Joint Declaration on Strengthening Multidimensional Strategic Partnership” signed between President Ilham Aliyev during his state visit to Italy in February this year. , reaffirms its mutual support for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders, as well as the inadmissibility of acts of aggression in interstate relations. The document sets out the basic principles of the Helsinki Final Act of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in particular, sovereignty. It supports the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of territorial integrity and the inviolability of international borders, as enshrined in the relevant documents and resolutions of the United Nations and the OSCE. I would like to take this opportunity to thank many Italian MPs and politicians who have expressed solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan in the cause of justice. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is closely monitoring the conflict. In addition, a telephone conversation took place yesterday between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov. While expressing Italy’s deep concern over the severity of the armed conflict, Minister Di Maio’s main message was Italy’s commitment to resume OSCE-mediated talks. as well as the instability of the status quo, as well as the need for the parties to return to negotiations under the auspices of the co-chairs unconditionally and with serious obligations. We appreciate Italy’s desire to work more closely with the peace process within the Minsk Group, of which it is a member, and we believe that it has serious elements that will play a more active role in this period. Armenia, which has always been interested in maintaining the status quo and prolonging the talks, has recently put forward seven absurd conditions. In this regard, it is clear that the Italian message is addressed to Armenia in order to stop its harmful actions and demonstrate a constructive position. We appreciate Italy’s desire to work more closely with the peace process within the Minsk Group, of which it is a member, and we believe that it has serious elements that will play a more active role in this period. Armenia, which has always been interested in maintaining the status quo and prolonging the talks, has recently put forward seven absurd conditions. In this regard, it is clear that the Italian message is addressed to Armenia in order to stop its harmful actions and demonstrate a constructive position. We appreciate Italy’s desire to work more closely with the peace process within the Minsk Group, of which it is a member, and we believe that it has serious elements that will play a more active role in this period. Armenia, which has always been interested in maintaining the status quo and prolonging the talks, has recently put forward seven absurd conditions. In this regard, it is clear that the Italian message is addressed to Armenia in order to stop its harmful actions and demonstrate a constructive position.
I repeat that the events of recent days have shown once again that a balanced approach to the parties and putting them on the same level has not yielded any results. On the contrary, such an approach has created favorable conditions for Armenia to continue its aggression and disregard for international law. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between the aggressor and the aggrieved party. We hope that in his forthcoming statements, Italy will openly call on Armenia to renounce the policy of aggression and withdraw its armed forces from our territories, which stems from the relevant UN Security Council resolutions of the then OSCE Chairman-in-Office Mario Raffaelli at the then OSCE Minsk Conference. It is envisaged in the proposal.
Asked whether the Trentino Alto Adige model could serve as a model for resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the diplomat said it was too early to discuss the issue in the current development of military operations and that it was important to force Armenia to renounce military aggression and withdraw its troops from Azerbaijan. said that.
In response to a question about Azerbaijan’s expectations from the EU, the diplomat said that “the EU’s position on other conflicts in the Eastern Partnership, ie respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders, also applies to the Azerbaijani-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.” It is an open and clear message to Armenia to renounce the policy of aggression against Azerbaijan and withdraw its armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan.
In conclusion, in response to a journalist’s question about how the current armed conflict is perceived among the people in Azerbaijan, the diplomat said: “There is great enthusiasm in Azerbaijan. All our people unite around the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and fully support his decisions. Hundreds of thousands of our compatriots have expressed a desire to join the war voluntarily. In addition, more than one million Azerbaijani IDPs hope that the day is approaching when, after 30 years of suffering, they will be able to return home as they deserve and visit the graves of their loved ones. “