The head of
the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh has said that the people of
Karabakh consist of both Armenians and Azerbaijanis.
"Azerbaijanis have
lived in Karabakh since ancient times, and I'm sure that they will live there
for many centuries more," Bayram Safarov said in an interview with Russian
newspaper, Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
"We were forced to
flee our homes as a result of
"The UN and
international charities helped refugees and displaced people in the early days
along with the Azerbaijani government, but over time, the financial resources
of
"I say 'people of
Karabakh' since this term should characterize the people of Karabakh - both
Azerbaijanis and Armenians. There is no such nation - the Armenians of Karabakh
- just as there is no nation the Azerbaijanis of Karabakh. The Azerbaijani
community of Nagorno-Karabakh Region of
Asked whether he was
satisfied with the role of international institutions in settling the Karabakh
conflict, Safarov restated the Azerbaijani concern that some UN Security
Council resolutions are implemented almost immediately, while others, such as
the four resolutions in 1993 calling for the withdrawal of Armenian troops from
"We have the same
right to live in Karabakh as the Armenians do," Safarov told Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
"We have regular
meetings with the chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group, take part in every possible
conference and forum on the conflict. We bring to the attention of these
structures our opinion and we can see over time that the opinion of these
structures is changing as they have a complete picture of the conflict."
He repeated Baku's position
that the best way to change the status quo on the conflict would be the
withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territory, the return home of
displaced people and the confirmation of the status of Karabakh within the
borders of Azerbaijan.
"If anyone thinks that
over the years the desire to return home evaporates or that the new generation
is used to living in different conditions, they are very wrong. Our generation
still remembers the period of co-existence and can master its feelings of
alienation and hatred, while the young people are growing up in conditions of
hatred, as they cannot forget everything that has left them without hearth and
home. The longer the occupation continues, the more the hatred will grow."
Asked what he would like to
say to his former friends, neighbours and acquaintances in Karabakh, Safarov
said: "We are deeply convinced that the directly Armenian population of
the territory is not interested in continuation of the conflict - they have
become hostage to circumstance. It will be better for both the Armenians and
Azerbaijanis if the funds going on the purchase of weapons and maintenance of
the army in both countries are spent on improving the welfare of people and
restoring the territory."
Bütün xəbərlər Facebook səhifəmizdə
USD
EUR
GBP
RUB