Foreign media
Nex24.news portal published an article entitled “Armenia, in violation of international law, continues the occupation of Azerbaijani lands”.
The article, authored by professor of Potsdam University Wilfred Furman, tells the history of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the resettlement of Armenians to the territories of Azerbaijan. The article notes that since the ceasefire reached in 1994, Azerbaijan has been trying to liberate its territories occupied by Armenia in violation of international law. After the ceasefire, approximately 1 million Azerbaijanis were forcibly displaced, and many of them suffered physical and psychological damage. Attempts made by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs failed.
The author recalls that since 2019, the president and defense minister of Armenia has been voicing the slogan “new war for new territories”, rejecting the initiative to return the Azerbaijani territories by peaceful means. Professor Furman states that Armenia’s attack on Azerbaijan’s Tovuz district in July this year was an attempt to occupy new territories. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan respected international borders and did not violate them. So, if this happens, Armenia could involve Russia in the conflict through the Collective Security Treaty Organization. However, this does not apply to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and the so-called "Nagorno-Karabkah Republic", which is not recognized by the international community. Within the framework of the war, the city of Ganja was subjected to artillery fire. Azerbaijan intends to initially liberate the surrounding regions to restore its territorial integrity.
The author also points out Armenia’s artillery and missile attacks on Ganja, the second-largest city of Azerbaijan.
As for Armenia’s terrorist attacks, as in 1986, and France’s possible support for Armenia, the professor says: “France’s possible support for Armenia could lead to a split within NATO because Turkey stands by Azerbaijan. Probably, Armenia backs the self-proclaimed “Nagorno-Karabah Republic” with volunteers and a regular army. Armenia has become poorer over the years and the number of its inhabitants has decreased. Most of the Armenian youth leave the country whenever possible. Those Armenian youth consider the “Nagorno-Karabakh republic”, especially the local elite, to be fabricated and do not want to die for them.”
Furman also stresses that the ongoing war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not religious in nature. He highly praises the religious tolerance prevailing in Azerbaijan.