The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated about the transfer of the Lachin district adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh under Baku's control.
"I am glad to inform you that the Lachin district has been liberated from occupation. I heartily congratulate the entire Azerbaijani people on this occasion. The liberation of the Lachin district from occupation is a historic event," the head of state said in his address to the nation which was shown on Tuesday by the state TV channel AzTV. Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan returned the Lachin district without a single shot.
Lachin is the third and last district, which passed under Baku's control, according to a tripartite statement dated November 9. It had been under Armenian control since May 17, 1992. At the same time, the so-called Lachin corridor, 5 kilometers wide, provides a connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia without affecting the city of Shusha. The corridor is controlled by a Russian peacekeeping contingent.
Attempts to interfere with agreements
Azerbaijan will demonstrate a tough stance in case of attempts to interfere with the agreements enshrined in the trilateral statement on Nagorno-Karabakh.
"If someone wants to interfere in the statement signed on November 10 (November 9 Moscow time), he will see our tough position," said the head of the republic, the text of the appeal of which was published by the Azerbaijani State News Agency AzerTAj.
Aliyev emphasized that such attempts are being made and their purpose is to violate the agreement reached. "Because it is very annoying to some that a new security format has already emerged here. The statement enshrines the creation of a joint Turkish-Russian center. At the same time, some are annoyed by <...> implementation of the statement. However, no one can interfere in our affairs, in the reached agreement. It is and must be implemented," the head of the state stressed.
According to Aliyev, a new reality has emerged in the region. "If the issues mentioned in the statement <...> find a solution, a new framework of cooperation will be created in our region", he noted.
Corridor between Nakhchivan and the West of Azerbaijan
Aliyev noted that the presidents of Russia and Turkey had a positive attitude to the idea of creating a corridor between Nakhchivan and the western regions of Azerbaijan and thus forming a new platform for cooperation in the region.
"Here (in the trilateral statement - ed.TASS) specifically states that a corridor between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the main part of Azerbaijan is being created. <...> At the same time, for a complete and future-oriented solution of this issue, an additional point is included - on the construction of new transport communications connecting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with western regions of Azerbaijan by agreement of the parties. This means there should be two corridors," Aliyev said, noting that all countries of the region will benefit from this only.
"Azerbaijan is connecting with its integral part, Nakhchivan. Azerbaijan is connecting with Turkey. Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran and if it wants Armenia can also connect to this corridor. Thus, a new five-sided cooperation platform may be created in the region. I have already brought this idea to the Presidents of Russia and Turkey. Both Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin were positive about it," the President of Azerbaijan added.
Creating water reservoirs
Aliyev announced Azerbaijan's intention to create several water reservoirs for agricultural development in the areas that came under his control after the signing of a declaration on the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"Appropriate instructions have already been given and the construction of water reservoirs is planned. This in itself is one of the factors that will have a very big impact on agricultural development and ecological balance," he said. According to the President, the availability of additional water resources "is of great importance" for territorial restoration.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS