(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Sabina Mammadli read more Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova has flatly denied
claims by Armenian Speaker Alen Simonyan.
Addressing the Second Conference of the Parliamentary Network of
the Non-Aligned Movement and the 146th Assembly of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Azerbaijani Speaker responded to the
claims by citing displacement of over a million internally
displaced persons from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and
refugees from Armenia, the massive destructions of Azerbaijani
cities and villages, desecration of Azerbaijan's historical,
cultural and religious sites during the occupation, as well as the
destruction of all historical and religious monuments belonging to
Western Azerbaijanis, who lived for centuries on the territory of
modern Armenia.
Underscoring that such remarks are another manifestation of
falsification by Yerevan, the speaker pointed out that these
actions are an open demonstration of intolerance and hatred by the
mono-ethnic Armenian state.
Furthermore, Gafarova added that despite the consequences of the
almost 30-year-long occupation, in the post-war reality, Azerbaijan
initiated a peace agenda based on the 5 principles of international
law and the normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations.
She stressed that Armenia does not only mislead the
international community with false information but also does not
fulfill its obligations and continues to illegally transport
weapons and mines to Azerbaijani territory and rotate
personnel.
Gafarova expressed regret over the speech of a representative of
one of the most mono-ethnic countries in the world, known for its
aggressive, discriminatory, and intolerant policies, on the
important topic of peaceful coexistence and inclusive society,
which was submitted for discussion in the assembly.
Furthermore, the speaker highlighted that when talking about
national minorities living in his country the Armenian official did
not mention the forced expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia,
where they lived for centuries. In this regard, she stressed that
the Western Azerbaijanis have the right to return to their homes,
enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
international acts.
She also refuted the remarks of the Armenian official about
Yerevan's lack of territorial claims against any country drawing
attention to the 30 years of occupation of Azerbaijani lands and
the fact that Armenia still maintains its armed forces in the
internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, violating the
tripartite declaration signed on November 10, 2020.
Additionally, the speaker once again reiterated that all rights
would be granted to Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin, and
claims about the alleged 'blockade' of the Lachin road, the road is
open for the free passage of all civilian and humanitarian
vehicles, as confirmed by the relevant international organizations
operating in this area.
To recap, Gafarova stressed that Azerbaijan complies with its
obligations, and at the same time is committed to ensuring the
realization of the rights of its citizens and the fulfillment of
their legal requirements.
A Moscow-brokered ceasefire deal that Baku and Yerevan signed on
November 10, 2020, brought an end to six weeks of fighting between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani army declared a victory
against the Armenian troops. The signed agreement obliged Armenia
to withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it has
occupied since the early 1990s.
The peace agreement stipulated the return of Azerbaijan's
Armenian-occupied Kalbajar, Aghdam, and Lachin regions and the
withdrawal of its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it has
occupied since the early 1990s. Before the signing of the deal, the
Azerbaijani army had liberated around 300 villages, settlements,
city centers, and historic Shusha city.
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Sabina Mammadli is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @sabinammdl
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