(MENAFN) Azerbaijan has called on Armenia to "accept the reality" that emerged as a result of the 44-day conflict between the two countries and to refrain from taking "aggressive steps and revanchist policies." The call came in response to a statement by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, which labeled the return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their homes as a violation of the Trilateral Statement and "illegal settlement." Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada said that Armenia's statement demonstrated its feature of racial discrimination and hatred, and that the Yerevan statement referring to Azerbaijani settlements with "fictional names" was another manifestation of Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Hajizada emphasized that Armenia has acted in violation of international law and four UN Security Council resolutions by occupying Azerbaijani lands for nearly 30 years. He also noted that Armenia forcibly expelled about 1 million Azerbaijanis from their homelands and brutally destroyed all Azerbaijani historical and religious monuments in the region. He further stated that Armenia's claim that Azerbaijan is not interested in a peace agreement is another obvious example of deception, as Armenia is trying to cover up its artificial delaying of the peace treaty negotiation process.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman also accused Armenia of interfering with the process of the reintegration of Armenian residents in the Karabakh region through provocations, and called on the political leadership of Armenia to act responsibly and refrain from provocations, statements, and false rhetoric that undermine the opportunities for peace created in the region after the 44-day war. He urged Armenia to accept the reality on the ground and to cease its aggressive policies.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan dates back to 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions. The conflict resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and has been a source of tension between the two countries for many years. In the fall of 2020, during 44 days of heavy fighting, Azerbaijan liberated a significant part of Karabakh, and a Russian-brokered peace agreement was subsequently signed, which was considered a triumph in Baku.
Overall, Azerbaijan's call for Armenia to accept the reality on the ground and to refrain from aggressive policies is an important step towards resolving tensions between the two countries. The conflict has led to significant displacement and destruction and has been a source of tension in the region for many years. The call for responsible action from the political leadership of Armenia is a positive step towards creating opportunities for peace and stability in the region. Nevertheless, continued efforts are needed to address outstanding issues and build mutual trust between the two sides to create a sustainable political solution.
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