Foreign media
Azerbaijani ambassador interviewed by French TV channel
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France Rahman Mustafayev gave an interview to I24news TV channel.
In his interview, the ambassador said that the military provocation committed by Armenia on the border, in the direction of Azerbaijan’s Tovuz district in July this year, which posed a threat to the very important energy infrastructure of Azerbaijan, Yerevan’s attempt to internationalize the conflict, as well as the provocative remarks voiced by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during his meetings with Armenian lobby organizations, especially the statement “Karbaakh is Armenia”, tried Azerbaijan’s patience. Thus, Azerbaijan decided to launch a counteroffensive operation to respond to Armenia’s attacks.
As for a possible ceasefire, the ambassador said the President of Azerbaijan clearly expressed the country’s position: “First of all, the occupied territories of Azerbaijan must be liberated, the Armenian armed forces must be withdrawn from Azerbaijani lands, then negotiations and a ceasefire is possible”.
“The four relevant UNSC resolutions demanding an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories must be implemented. Talks and ceasefire are possible only after the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts from the Armenian occupation,” he added.
Referring to the July attack by Armenia in the direction of Azerbaijan’s Tovuz district, Ambassador Mustafayev said the incident that took place far from Nagorno-Karabakh was a provocation that tried Baku’s patience. He noted that, like France in the 1940s, Azerbaijan launched a counter-attack and is waging a Patriotic War today. “Our goal is to liberate our lands occupied by Armenia since 1992. Although the legal framework for conflict resolution is strong, we have been waiting for its realization for 27 years.”
Asked about Turkey’s involvement in the conflict, the diplomat said: “Turkey's role in the ongoing war is only to provide moral support to Azerbaijan. Turkey's statements and activities in this direction do not go beyond the framework of international law. Turkey simply says that Azerbaijan is not alone. Turkey's role today is constructive.”
Ambassador Mustafayev pointed out that Armenia keeps targeting the civilian population and bombing Azerbaijan’s Ganja, Mingachevir, Yevlakh, and Barda cities. The diplomat also slammed Armenia for violating international law and Geneva Conventions.
