Foreign media
The influential Geneva Tribune, published in Geneva since 1879, broadcasted an interview with Ambassador Vagif Sadigov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations in Geneva and other international organizations.
In an article titled "The side that uses terrorists is the Armenian government", the ambassador answered questions about the latest military provocation carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijan.
At the beginning of the article, the ambassador gave information about the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan since September 27 and its consequences for the civilian population. It was noted that the Armenian army, attacking civilian settlements and infrastructure with large-caliber weapons, artillery, and missile systems, killed 24 civilians, including women and children, and injured 121 people by October 5. The city of Mingachevir, home to the largest hydroelectric plant in the South Caucasus, was attacked with rockets, as well as missiles. By targeting its civilian population and infrastructure, the Armenian side violates its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and commits a serious war crime under international humanitarian law.
The diplomat noted that the international community must demand Armenia fulfill its obligations under international law and stop attacks against Azerbaijani civilians.
Drawing attention to the current humanitarian situation, Sadigov stated that more than 300 houses, hospitals, schools, and kindergartens, including civil infrastructure, were destroyed. Highly appreciating the statement of the International Committee of the Red Cross condemning attacks on densely populated settlements and cities, the ambassador described the statement as a serious signal that the Armenian side should not target the civilian infrastructure of Azerbaijan.
Clarifying accusations that the Azerbaijani side involved mercenaries in the conflict, the ambassador said that there was no doubt that Armenia was behind these accusations. Azerbaijan has a strong army capable of responding to Armenian aggression and guaranteeing its territorial integrity. Azerbaijan, which has sufficient human resources and reserve troops, does not need foreign fighters.
He emphasized that Armenia must accept the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan within its international borders and present a chronological plan for the withdrawal of its military units from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. This is the only condition to end the military confrontation in the conflict zone.
At the end of the interview, the diplomat was asked about the role of the UN in the settlement of the conflict. Sadigov said that four UN resolutions adopted in 1993 demanded the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian troops from Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. Under the present situation, the best course of action for the UN is to force Armenia to abide by those resolutions and fulfill its obligations under international law.