Resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under international law and “restoring Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity” are the Azerbaijani President’s foreign policy priorities, Ali Hasanov, the Head of the Public-Political Department, Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, stated in his interview with Trend News.

The negotiations have not produced any results because of “Armenia’s destructive position,” he said. According to him, the negations have progressed only due to Azerbaijan’s efforts.

Hasanov stated that “the negotiations are in line with Azerbaijan's interests, Armenia has given up its previous rhetoric, the superpowers have increased their efforts toward the settlement of the conflict, the international community has admitted that Azerbaijan is right and a fair solution to the conflict has become urgent.”

Still, the conflict remains unsettled, he said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has stated that Azerbaijan is not going to put up with the status quo in Armenia’s favor, Hasanov said. Azerbaijan is a developed country, with a great economic potential and strong army. The funding of the country’s Armed Forces has recently been close to Armenia’s state budget, he said. The Government has created the Ministry of Defense Industry and started arms production.

“Why should we tolerate the occupation of our territories while the international law and military power defend Azerbaijan? Prior to his recent meeting with the Armenian President, Azerbaijani President made a strong statement, meaning the reality,” Hasanov said.

T.P.