“We avenged our martyrs on the battlefield and restored our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the head of state said.
The president also pointed out attempts by certain Western supporters to portray Armenia as a “peaceful dove,” as if there had been no 30-year occupation, destruction, brutality, and genocide in Khojaly. “As if there had been no destruction of our mosques, desecration of our graves, devastation of all of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. They want to make the international community forget all this. But we will never forget it,” Aliyev stressed, adding that the Azerbaijani people should also never forget this history to preserve it for future generations.
According to the president, the results of the Second Karabakh War and the counter-terrorism operation should push Armenia toward making the right choices. However, as Aliyev noted, certain anti-Azerbaijani forces, Islamophobes, and Azerbaijanophobes in some Western capitals are currently inciting Armenia to engage in another conflict.
The president also assured that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are ready to respond to any provocation. “If anyone decides to test our strength again, they will face a crushing defeat once more. The 44-day Patriotic War and the counter-terrorism operation were not only Armenia’s defeat but also the defeat of its supporters. This is what fuels the smear campaign against Azerbaijan in the West,” the head of state declared.
He also noted that Armenia must abandon its policy of militarization, which should be brought to an end.
“I have said this many times. And they know my words should be taken seriously. They should abandon this before it’s too late. They will never be able to match us. We do not want war. We have achieved our goals, ensured our territorial integrity and state sovereignty. Our territorial integrity is secure along the entire border, and former displaced persons and refugees are returning to their ancestral lands,” the president stated.
