(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
raised many important issues related to both the further
development of Azerbaijan's Karabakh and regional issues in press
statements in the Jabrayil district after the opening ceremony of
the Zangilan International Airport, reports on October 22.
President Ilham Aliyev drew attention to the destruction of
cities in Karabakh after the first Karabakh war, and President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan - to the silence of international
organizations about this vandalism.
'Today, our official ceremony was held in Jabrayil. In fact,
there is no city of Jabrayil because right where we are sitting,
there were buildings, people lived and worked. But during the
Armenian occupation, Armenians destroyed all our cities and
villages. These destroyed buildings are what is left of the city of
Jabrayil. This destruction was not committed in the first Karabakh
war, but by the Armenians during the years of occupation. They have
so much hatred for the people of Azerbaijan that they razed all our
buildings to the ground. The main goal behind this was that
Azerbaijanis should never return to these lands. There would be no
place to return,' the head of the Azerbaijani state said.
Speaking about the destruction of cities and villages in
Karabakh, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticized Western
structures.
'I look around and see the state Jabrayil has been brought to
during the years of occupation. I asked my brother whether the OSCE
or the European Union come here to see all this. No, they don't.
Why don't they come? Because they will understand their guilt, they
will see what the West has done. They will see the state of
Jabrayil and other regions of Karabakh during the years of
occupation they supported. Of course, they don't want to see that.
In fact, they know what they've done here,' the Turkish president
said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that it's definitely
necessary to sue and demand compensation.
'We must demand compensation, thus driving them into a corner.
The world needs to get to know the West better. We all need to
know,' the Turkish president noted.
The leaders' statements about the vandalism committed in
Karabakh, and criticism of the indifferent attitude of Western
organizations to this are a weighty response to some European
circles trying to influence the region through the Armenians and
accuse Azerbaijan of 'occupation'.
The West created conditions of impunity for the Armenians and
was silent about their barbaric actions in Karabakh. There is no
need for unwarranted interference in the peace process by any
forces trying thereby to influence the region now that the conflict
has been resolved. If these circles were so interested in the
region, they could react to the atrocities committed by the
Armenians during the occupation.
The Turkish and Azerbaijani leaders also spoke about the joint
restoration of the Karabakh region destroyed by the Armenians. The
Turkish president highly appreciated the efforts of President Ilham
Aliyev in this direction, stressing that the opening of the second
airport within a year on the lands liberated from occupation is a
task that not every country can perform.
'Turkiye is ready to be alongside Azerbaijan within the
framework of the Karabakh development plan in all projects,
including agriculture, green energy and smart cities. We have
already taken steps based on solidarity. We are ready to implement
more important and gigantic projects together by developing these
projects. Naturally, other important steps include the
'Azerbaijani-Turkish International Forestry Training Center', the
'Smart Nursery' and the 'Forest of Friendship' complex, the
foundation of which we have laid in Jabrayil. It is also a symbol
of our solidarity,' the head of the Turkish state said.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Türkiye's support for the
construction process in Karabakh. The head of state said that
currently Turkish-Azerbaijani unity is again seen in the restored
Karabakh and Zangazur.
'Large-scale restoration and construction work is underway.
Today, together with my dear brother, we got acquainted with the
construction of the railway and celebrated the opening of the 'Dost
Agropark' together. This is the first private investment in this
region, and the name of this agricultural park, 'Dost Agropark',
says it all,' President Ilham Aliyev noted.
As it's known, attempts are being made to interfere in the
processes in the South Caucasus and the work to create the Zangazur
corridor. In their press statements, the presidents of Azerbaijan
and Türkiye also mentioned these issues.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pointed out that the fear and
anxiety of some circles related to the Zangazur corridor, which
will connect Nakhchivan with the western regions of Azerbaijan, are
far from reality.
'In other words, after all these steps related to Karabakh such
fear is irrelevant. Azerbaijan continues marching along its path
with confident steps. Contributing to the cause of peace,
tranquility and stability, this road will open trade and investment
opportunities for all countries located along the East-West and
Middle Corridor routes that run through the Caspian,' the Turkish
president said.
President Ilham Aliyev reminded the forces attempting to
interfere in the region and to prevent the creation of the Zangazur
corridor about the Shusha declaration, and Turkish-Azerbaijani
unity.
'It is yet another celebration of Turkiye-Azerbaijan unity and
brotherhood today. A powerful country as such as Turkiye is our
brother, and it is an immense happiness for us. The second Karabakh
war and the period after the war have strengthened this unity even
more. Last year, we signed the Shusha Declaration in Shusha, and
Turkiye and Azerbaijan officially became allies. We became allies
in all areas, and this is a huge celebration for our peoples. At
the same time, it is a serious message to the region and the world.
Because Turkish-Azerbaijani unity is a very important factor in the
region. It is a factor of peace and stability. But, at the same
time, if someone still wants to act unfairly against us, of course,
they should seriously consider this factor,' President Ilham Aliyev
said.
During their speeches, the heads of the two states sent a
message that the steps of Ankara and Baku in the region are aimed
at peace, stability, and the implementation of economic and
transport projects in a short time.