The parties to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh have reached a settlement that meets the interests of both Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence in this before signing a joint statement on ceasefire in the region with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
"For my part, I would like to say that I am very glad that today the settlement of the long-standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is being put to a standstill," Aliyev said, whose speech is broadcast by Azerbaijani TV channels. "I must say that the military and political settlement of the conflict that we are now seeing will lead to long-term peace, to agreement in our region and will put an end to confrontation and bloodshed," he added.
The Azerbaijani President noted the special role of Russia in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict and thanked Putin for his personal participation.
"I would like to express my gratitude to you, Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], for your active participation in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict in previous years, and especially during the hot phase of the conflict. The fact that today three leaders of the countries are signing this document testifies to the special role of the Russian Federation in settlement of this conflict," the Azerbaijani leader stated. He also expressed confidence that the Russian Federation would play an important role in normalizing relations between the two countries.
Besides, Aliyev thanked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for "active participation in political settlement of the conflict". "We are creating a completely new format of interaction in the region not only for the purpose of conflict settlement, but also in the interests of future development", he said.
Earlier Putin, Aliyev and Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Baku and Yerevan have been contesting the region's affiliation since February 1988, when it announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan SSR. During the 1992-1994 armed conflict, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS