Comment by the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the interview of the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Ayvazyan with the “Armenpress” agency

Unlike the leadership of Armenia, the President of Azerbaijan knows very well what each document he signs serves not only at the current stage but even in the long-term perspective. The President of Azerbaijan demonstrates this not only in his own words but also in his concrete deeds. 

The Armenian Foreign Minister must return from the imaginary world to reality, no matter how painful it might be. 

Armenia’s long-standing destructive position contrary to international law has dragged the country into an abyss. The Armenian government should draw conclusions from the recent events and come to terms with the new realities in the region.  

Azerbaijan ensured the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and restored its territorial integrity. A new format of security and cooperation has been established in the region with a joint statement signed also by the Head of Government of Armenia on November 10. 

As for the exchange of prisoners, hostages and corpses, we remind the Armenian Foreign Minister that it was precisely Armenia for many years which did not respond to the initiative of Azerbaijan to exchange on the principle of “all for all”. Now the adoption of this principle by Armenia is part of the changing reality. Azerbaijan has always strictly adhered to the principles of international humanitarian law, acting in accordance with the principles of humanism, even during military operations unilaterally handed over Armenian prisoners and corpses to the other side. 

Instead of the misinterpretation of the joint statement signed on November 10, the fulfillment by Armenia of the issues arising from this agreement will serve to the establishment of the long-awaited peace in the region.