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Azerbaijani president: We will raise the flag of Azerbaijan in Khankendi

12 July 2012 03:16 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. "In the coming months and years of work in our foreign policy will be even more, our relationship will become even wider. Our principled position on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, based on justice and international law. The question of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has never been and will not be subject to negotiation. Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. I have no doubt about it", - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the socio-economic development in the first half of 2012 and the upcoming challenges, APA reports.

The head of state noted that in the negotiation process there has been some stagnation. Despite the fact that the heads of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group issued a new statement, which reaffirmed the unacceptability of the status quo. "So far, concrete, real steps, changing the status quo is not taken. But it is inevitable. The status quo must be changed. And the heads of state co-chairs of the Minsk Group, and president of the Council of the European Union, in Baku, and representatives of the OSCE and other international organizations and politicians have repeatedly said about the unacceptability of the status quo. This is a very valuable statement. Changing the status quo means the withdrawal of Armenian occupation forces from the occupied lands. With the withdrawal of occupying forces from the occupied lands positive trends in the negotiation process, of course, more will grow, and this issue will be resolved soon", - he said.

The president noted that along with all political and diplomatic efforts, Azerbaijan expands military power. "We have created and create a strong army. A strong army is much strengthens our position in the negotiations. Expanding economic opportunities of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is becoming a powerful country, not only in the region but also globally. Of course, our economic, financial, and at the same time, the political resources will contribute to a just solution to the question of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Grow and our economy and our foreign exchange reserves, and our population. According to recent data, the population of Azerbaijan has already reached 9.3 million people. As for Armenia, according to official statistics, the first five months of this year, this country ever left 80,000 people. By the end of the year this figure will reach about 170-200 thousand people. Thus, in a few years the demographic situation in general will be a decisive moment. Not by chance, in his recent speeches, I pay special attention to this matter. In Azerbaijan, the demographic situation is good, positive, there is a natural growth. But I believe that this growth should be even stronger. To encourage this growth and population growth, perhaps, be taken further action. Our economy, industrial power, financial resources will allow us to work twice as many people than it is now, and create all the conditions. Of course, it would be. Today, 9.3 million. After a few years will be 15 million, 20 million. That is, the process is, and will go. We are now taking some additional measures to further stimulate this processâ€™ â€“ President said.

â€œAs for Armenia, it is possible that its leaders, and rejoice in the fact that the population decreases. After all, there is no jobs, no money, no economy, no industry, no prospects. The smaller the population, the smaller the burden that falls on the government. This - one approach. Our approach is quite different. Our economy, the industrial might and political will dictate that the Azerbaijani population should grow. This is necessary not only to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - we will solve this issue and raise the flag of Azerbaijan in Khankendi - but also for the future in general. Because in today’s world, unfortunately, in many cases, international law does not work. International law is ignored. In the foreground there is the factor of force. In fact, this pattern was typical of the Middle Ages. Just after World War II - after setting a new world order, new rules of international law have been adopted as a basis. This is the case today. But looking at the trends and processes in the region and the world, we see that sometimes it is taking steps that are fundamentally contrary to international law, on the fore a factor of force. Who is stronger, he is right. It is not our choice, but unfortunately, this show going processes in the world. And to be strong, you need a strong economy, the military-industrial potential and a large population. Therefore, we must seriously address this issue. Until now, these processes have a natural character. Just to increase the natural growth of the economy as well as states became more intense. We see it in the statistics. In recent years the birth rate was higher than 10-15 years ago. This is an issue that is directly linked to economic and social factors. But, I repeat, we must approach this issue through a new prism. Azerbaijani population should grow even faster", - the Head of State said.

Speaking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh President noted that in recent years for the recognition of the Khojaly tragedy as genocide - a state government, our diplomacy, civil society, our diaspora organizations - have done very much. "It is very important and significant issue. For three countries - Colombia, Mexico and Pakistan - formally recognized the Khojaly tragedy as genocide. I am confident that this process must and will continue. Our embassies, of course, government agencies, community organizations will continue their efforts in this regard. Gradually countries to recognize Khojaly tragedy as genocide, there will be moreâ€, - Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev said.