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President of Azerbaijan: â€œI cannot rule out a military solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflictâ€

14 July 2009 08:43 (UTC +04:00)

â€œFor the past 15 years we have been living in the conditions in which we have neither war nor peace,â€ the president noted. He stressed that any settlement of the conflict around Nagorno-Karabakh should include the preservation of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. â€œWe understand Armeniaâ€™s concern and are ready to consider corresponding issues. We are also ready to provide the needed autonomy level to Nagorno-Karabakh, but only within the framework of the united Azerbaijani state,â€ President Aliyev emphasized. The president also noted that the sides involved in the conflict should clearly realize that there can be no talk about independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, because this contradicts the principles of international law and already adopted on Nagorno-Karabakh resolutions of the leading international organizations, including the UN Security Council. â€œAzerbaijan is committed to the peaceful settlement of the conflict, the past 15 years have proved in reality our clear-cut position,â€ President Aliyev stressed. The president also noted, â€œUnfortunately, I cannot totally rule out a military solution, as we have the total and based on international laws right to restore our territorial integrity that not a single country questions.â€ â€œToday Azerbaijan has powerful and modern armed forces that are capable of restoring the countryâ€™s territorial integrity,â€ President Aliyev stated adding that Baku â€œintends to continue to seek the conflict settlement by peaceful methods.â€