Thursday, February 11 2016 07:46

  "Since the Armenian foreign minister claims that Yerevan is uninterested in maintaining the status quo, then his country should pull out its troops from Azerbaijani territories immediately, unconditionally and completely," Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hikmat Hajiyev told APA commenting on the latest remarks made by Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. 

In his words, in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement and a lasting peace in the region efforts should be focused on bringing an end to the "invasion- the underlying reason behind the ceasefire violations-and the withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied Azerbaijani territories, instead of technical and auxiliary issues such as investigation of incidents. It is all right to create technical mechanisms like investigation of incidents as an auxiliary means in the process of Armenia troops' withdrawal from Azerbaijani territories. Unfortunately, focusing on technical issues such as investigation of incidents and ignoring the fact of Armenia's occupation and annexation of Azerbaijani territories serve the preservation of the status quo and, ultimately, the interests of Armenia," he said.

Hajiyev claims that  the process of withdrawal of Armenian armed forces and "completion of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories" should take place not in a free time mode the OSCE MG co-chairs accustomed to, but within a certain period of time.  "Armenia should understand that the situation resulting from unlawful use of force and occupation can't be considered legitimate in any case and Yerevan can't achieve its political goals in this way," Hajiyev noted.  "Azerbaijan is the most interested party in changing status-quo and achieving a political solution to the conflict within territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders. Azerbaijan will use all opportunities to ensure its territorial integrity and sovereignty within the internationally recognized borders. Therefore, the responsibility lies with Armenia," he concluded.  Earlier Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian said in a joint press conference with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom that Armenia as well as the Co-Chairs is keen to change the status quo. "Azerbaijan is first and foremost responsible for its preservation. How may the status quo be changed? Indeed, through negotiations and agreements. Who then escalates the situation? Azerbaijan does. Who ignores the Co-Chairs' calls to reaffirm commitment to the peaceful settlement through negotiations. Who tries to change the negotiation format? Who rejects the creation of mechanism of investigation? Certainly Baku does.  Together with the Co-Chairs we would continue our efforts for exclusively peaceful settlement of the issue. There is no alternative to the negotiations."