Azerbaijani leader hails Turkey, Russia on role in deal

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AA) - Progress in the Upper Karabakh continues in compliance with the cease-fire, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Friday, adding that Turkey and Russia play important roles regarding implementation of the deal.

Speaking via video conference at the second day of the UN General Assembly’s special session on response to COVID-19, Aliyev said Azerbaijan supported the global cease-fire call of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, although Armenia ignored it.

“[…] the regime of the cease-fire is holding for almost a month, Turkey and Russia play an important role in ensuring cease-fire through joint cease-fire monitoring center. Thus, Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict was resulted by military, political means,” he added.

He went on to say that use of force was needed to liberate occupied lands as Armenia did not comply with international law.

“As an absence of complying with international law, it was inevitable to ensure the implementation of [UN] Security Council resolution by force. As a result of each, the aggressor state [Armenia] was enforced to peace,” Aliyev noted.

Relations between the former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted Sept. 27, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the Armenian occupation.

The two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement Nov. 10 to end fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The truce is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces have been withdrawing in line with the agreement.