If the negotiations on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict fail to bring the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the country's authorities will use the UN Charter to ensure the restoration of its territorial integrity, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said during the General Debate of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.
"Azerbaijan is the most interested party in the speediest negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, if the negotiations fail to bring as an outcome the complete and unconditional withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from our occupied lands, Azerbaijan will be compelled to use its inherent right of self-defense, guaranteed under Article 51 of the UN Charter, to ensure the restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders," TASS cited him as saying.
Mammadyarov stressed that for effective confidence building, it is critical, first and foremost, to implement without further delay the plan of withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. He pointed out that the major cause of those incidents is the continuing unlawful presence of the Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
"Azerbaijan will never reconcile itself to the seizure of our territories. The conflict can only be resolved on the basis of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders," the head of the Foreign Ministry noted.
He added that the military occupation of the territory of Azerbaijan does not represent a solution and will never produce the political outcome desired by Armenia.
"The sooner Armenia reconciles itself with this reality, the earlier the conflict will be resolved and the countries and peoples in the region will benefit from the prospects of cooperation and economic development," Mammadyarov concluded.
