Baku guarantees safe reintegration of Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin

The Azerbaijani authorities are resolute to re-integrate its citizens of Armenian origin residing in Nagorno-Karabakh into its political, social, economic space, guaranteeing the same rights and freedoms with all its citizens, Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov said at the 27th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council.

"Azerbaijan is resolute to re-integrate its citizens of Armenian origin residing in the territories of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan into its political, social, economic space, guaranteeing the same rights and freedoms with all the citizens of Azerbaijan regardless of their ethnic, religious affiliation on an equal and non-discriminatory basis. The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan provides a solid legal framework in this regard," the diplomat noted.
"Peaceful co-existence of Azerbaijani and Armenian residents of the conflict-affected territories based on respect to each other’s security, ethnic and religious identity within the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must and shall be finally ensured,"  Jeyhun Bayramov stressed.

The minister explained that they are entering a new post-conflict stage, a stage of reconstruction and rehabilitation, a stage of restoration of peaceful co-existence. New opportunities for development and cooperation are emerging. According to him, Baku calls upon its colleagues and partners to assess and take advantage of the new promising realities. 

The minister noted that the implementation of the November 9 agreement insure the cessation all military activities and return of Aghdam, Kalbajar and Lachin districts to Azerbaijan. "The statement also contains the return of the internally displaces persons and refugees to their homes. The agreement also envisages the removal of obstacles of all economic and transport links in the region and guarantees the save movement of vehicles, cargos and people between Armenian and Azerbaijan, including the connection of Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic," he added.