Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed the forum titled "Karabakh: Back Home After 30 Years. Accomplishments and Challenges" co-organized by ADA University and the Center of Analysis of International Relations.
"When we restored our sovereignty, two and a half years ago, we once again saw what we anticipated - a large number of Armenian military servicemen in Karabakh was positioned there without any respect to international law. We hoped that finally, it would be possible to find the solution to the situation," Ilham Aliyev said.
He noted that Baku's proposals were very clear.
"People who live in Karabakh have two options: either to become Azerbaijani citizens - we provided all the necessary legal and also security framework for that - or to find another place to live. There can be no other option,” the head of state emphasized," Ilham Aliyev said.
The Azerbaijani head of state noted that they are also working to create the best living conditions for internally displaced persons. "They deserve it. They also suffered psychological trauma," he said.
"We want the process to go as quickly as possible. But we understand that we need to achieve this based on the best architectural practice, based on the best technologies, applying green technologies and also creating the best conditions," Ilham Aliyev said.
One day, in even less than one day, the anti-terror operation totally allowed Azerbaijan to restore its sovereignty. "The operation was held without any damage to civilian infrastructure, any casualty among civilians," the head of state stressed.
“We announced that if the army laid down its weapons, we would stop and allow them to leave. So, it lasted less than 24 hours. After they announced that they surrender, all their actions on the ground had stopped,” Ilham Aliyev said.
He noted that Azerbaijan is facing some misunderstanding from the countries, which they considered to be their partners.
“And we are trying to explain our position and also trying to explain that international law norms are obligatory for all. They should not be selective. And what has Azerbaijan done? It has done the right for self-defense based on UN Charter, Article 51. It was done based on international law and the sovereign right of Azerbaijan to control fully its territory as any other country should do,” the head of state stressed.
Ilham aliyev said that the representatives of Armenian community agreed to meet only after the anti-terrorist operation: they came twice, not once. "The question is why didn't they come before? If they came before, there would have been no need for anti-terror operation," he asked.
The electronic portal is functioning, they had already several appeals from the Karabakh Armenians, and some of them prefer to stay there and they live there, the Azerbaijani president said.
"We assigned our representatives from the State Migration Agency and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population to take care of those who cannot provide their own comfort. Not many of them remained, but those who remain, they have been taken care of and those who want to come back, they can use a mechanism, which I already informed you about,” the head of state said.
Ilham Aliyev publicly stated that Azerbaijan considers Armenians living in Karabakh as its citizens, because they have been the subject of manipulation by the leaders of separatists.
"We offered them conditions under which they can stay and continue to live on that area. And that was totally in line with international law, as I already said. The only thing they had to do was that they had to apply for the Azerbaijani citizenship. The issues related to their security and rights have also been addressed. On many occasions, we said that their security will be provided in line with the Azerbaijani constitution, and the Azerbaijani commitment in front of international organizations," the head of state said.
The forum titled "Karabakh: Back Home After 30 Years. Accomplishments and Challenges" co-organized by ADA University and the Center of Analysis of International Relations being held in Baku on December 6. The event brings together 60 experts from 30 countries.
