(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 13. Integration of
Armenians in Karabakh into the Azerbaijani society is the only
humanitarian way forward, the former US ambassador to Azerbaijan,
Matthew Bryza told Trend.
“It is important to note that President Ilham Aliyev
consistently said that Armenians would be free to remain in
Karabakh living in peace and in security with their Azerbaijani
neighbors who would return to their homes. He consistently said
that these returned Armenians would be treated as citizens of
Azerbaijan with all the same privileges and protections Azerbaijani
citizens enjoy from their government with nothing different in
that. I think it is a noble objective to integrate Armenians into
Azerbaijani society in Karabakh. I think that's the only
humanitarian way forward,” said Bryza.
The former ambassador said he is not sure about how the
Armenians on the ground in Karabakh feel about that.
“I would guess many would welcome that opportunity and many
don't. But Armenians living in Armenia largely oppose that idea of
ethnic Armenians becoming Azerbaijani citizens. But it is not their
decision, it is up to the Armenians living in Karabakh whether or
not they want to remain in Azerbaijan as Azerbaijani citizens or
whether they wish to leave. I understand that it is a very
difficult decision for any family to make to either change their
nationality, citizenship or leave. I just hope that everything will
continue on a peaceful path and the goal of Armenians living
peacefully side by side with their Azerbaijani neighbors in
Karabakh will be realized,” added Bryza.
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