Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev’s speech was a response to the statements on Nagorno-Karabakh made by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vice-Speaker of the RA Parliament Samvel Nikoyan told NEWS.am.

“It is interesting that after all the statements, Aliev is making even more hysteric warlike statements. He must have realized that the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process is not following the course he would like it to,” Nikoyan said. He stressed that, happy over insignificant diplomatic achievements, Azerbaijan claims the international community is allegedly taking its side. However, Azerbaijan forgets the fact that it is the OSCE Minsk Group, rather than the resolutions approved by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), that represents the international community.

“In a rather demagogic manner Aliev speaks of the superpowers’ policy, expressing regret over the fact the superpowers are applying double standards. In this regard, I share Aliev’s opinion. For example, the international community immediately recognized Kosovo’s independence, defended the country’s independence and continues helping them to build up their independence. The same is with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. So why does not the international community follow this principle in dealing with Nagorno-Karabakh?” Nikoyan said.

“Aliev states that if peace talks fail to produce the results he desires, Azerbaijan will settle the conflict in a military way. To ‘prove’ his superiority, Aliev gives false information on the population in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. He is trying to convince everyone Armenia exists only due to the Armenian lobby. I am surprised at Aliev’s short memory: in 1990s Azerbaijan claimed was superior to Armenia in all respects, but was defeated in the war it had unleashed,” Nikoyan said.     

By making warlike statements, the Azeri leader is challenging the international community, particularly the OSCE Minsk Group member-states, which have repeatedly stressed the unacceptability of using force in the region. “While speaking of the principles of the Helsinki final act, Aliev forgets about the principle of peoples’ right to self-determination or disregards the principle. However, international law equals both principles. It is high time Aliev realized that Armenia never occupied an inch of Azerbaijani lands. Azerbaijan’s borders remained unchanged after the Azerbaijan-unleashed war,” Nikoyan said. As regards the historical analysis presented by the Azeri leader, Nikoyan pointed out the fact of Azerbaijanis’ short historical memory Aliev takes advantage of , trying to prove that Stepanakert has never existed,” Nikoyan said.