“We are waiting for a response from Armenia to our comments on the proposal. Several times we have exchanged proposals for a peace treaty draft, but now we have been waiting for more than two months since September 11 for the Armenian government to respond to us. We want to know their opinion on these comments. But we have not received any response.” As reported by the head of state’s website, this was stated by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in a statement for the press with the President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdel Latif Jamal Rashid, on November 20 in Baku.
The President of Azerbaijan also criticized France for its destructive role in the South Caucasus and its influence on Armenia, noting that the Armenian government and public opinion are under illusions about the possibility of new aggression against Azerbaijan due to incorrect messages from France.
“France is playing a very destructive role in the South Caucasus. In fact, Armenia has become a puppet of the French government, and this could pose a serious threat to regional stability. We do not need any war. We fought on our territory, restored justice and international law. But the government and political establishment of Armenia think about revenge. And the wrong messages from the French government actually create illusions for the Armenian government, and perhaps for Armenian public opinion, that they can again start military aggression against Azerbaijan. The armament of Armenia, which France is so proud of and publicly declares, will not help Armenia if it decides to start a new war. The result will be the same, and no one will help them. Did France help them three years ago? No. Did they help them two months ago? No. What can they do here? Nothing. <…> Therefore, I think that the faster we get a response from Armenia to our comments, the better,” said the President.
Aliyev also pointed out that Armenia should plan its future based on its own national interests, not the ambitions of countries far from the South Caucasus region, especially countries with a bloody colonial past: “Countries whose colonial policy was primarily against the Muslim population in different parts of the world. No international pressure can influence the will of the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani government. Now Armenia is using its diasporas in different parts of the world to attack Azerbaijan. But their actions will be fruitless. We are ready for peace, but for a fair peace, based on the recognition of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries. A peace based on common sense and historical justice,” the head of state noted.
Furthermore, the head of Azerbaijan expressed confidence that the official visit of the President of Iraq, Abdel Latif Jamal Rashid, would contribute to strengthening friendly relations between the two countries and open a new page in cooperation. Emphasizing that this is the first official visit of the President of Iraq to Azerbaijan in the history of diplomatic relations, Aliyev noted that this visit is of historical significance.
