Domestic

Domestic

Azerbaijani President: Our people will ensure the existence of Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan

17 October 2011 22:53 (UTC +04:00)

The president said that in recent years, the difference in development between Armenia and Azerbaijan is much: "The way of solution to this conflict is only through the acceptance of international law. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan recognized by the international community, United Nations, must be restored. Four UN Security Council resolutions should be implemented unconditionally. The occupying troops must withdraw from our lands. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan must be restored. Citizens of Azerbaijan who are the victims of Armenian vandalism, atrocities, ethnic cleansing policy have to return to their native land and will return. I have no doubt. For to do this we must become stronger and are becoming. In the economic sphere, the military, in all other areas, Azerbaijan’s potential is several times greater than the potential of Armenia and should excel even more. We will continue our diplomatic efforts at the same time, by all means we seek to restore our territorial integrity. Justice is on our side, everybody knows it. No matter how hard over these 20 years, no matter how hard the Armenian lobby, we announced the world, able to show that Nagorno Karabakh is a native and historical Azerbaijani lands, as from a historical point of view and from the standpoint of international law. Today, our attack diplomacy makes its effect. I am sure that this issue will be a just solution in accordance with international law, and Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. There is enough evidence to say it. I occasionally share my thoughts with the Azerbaijani public on this issue. There is sufficient evidence. In addition to the historical and legal factors, the ratio of real power is already evidence of superiority of Azerbaijan. The economic potential is unequaled. After 20 years of independence, Azerbaijan’s economy today is 83 percent of the economy of the South Caucasus. As a result of the measures to be taken in the future, and upcoming reforms, this figure will only continue to grow, not diminish it, and will grow", the President said.

The President stressed that in addition to economic factors, today Azerbaijan is taking steps to protect itself: "The growth of our military spending is a natural process. We grow all costs, including the military. If we consider that we have such a problem, as Karabakh, so increasing military costs is naturally. If they do not increase, it would be unnatural. It grows and will grow. The task that I set a few years ago now is in the past. I said that our military spending must be equal to the entire budget of Armenia. Today, our military spending by $500 million much than Armenian budget. In the future, will exceed even more. One reason for my optimism is associated with the demographic situation in the region. The population of Azerbaijan is growing every year, and we have over 9.1 million citizens. The population of Armenia is decreasing every year and will be reduced. As a result of natural processes, and because of the prevailing there hopelessness, unemployment and mass apathy. All these and other factors perhaps there are no need to talk about it - further strengthen our confidence. The most important thing is that the people of Azerbaijan will never accept this position. The people of Azerbaijan will ensure the existence of Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan", - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.