Ilham Aliyev disclosed some details of the negotiation process on Karabakh
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"I must also say that for many years - almost 30 years - the return of Lachin region to Azerbaijan, especially the issue of the Lachin corridor, has always been discussed as a very important and separate topic." This was stated by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his address to the nation. According to the President, the Armenian side, in general, believed that the entire Lachin region should be given to them as a corridor: "Unfortunately, some Western circles supported this position.
This made Armenia's position even more irreconcilable, and the enemy was almost completely depraved. As a result, a very serious settlement policy was pursued in Lachin region. Illegal settlements took place in other liberated areas, but not to this extent. For example, if we look at Aghdam, Fizuli, Jabrayil, Zangilan, Gubadli districts, there were more military units. Because all the houses and buildings there were destroyed by the hated enemy. It was home to the military, their families, and a very small civilian population. Armenians brought from abroad were not sent there. "The Lachin region was already under very strict control by Armenia, and a very large settlement program was implemented there. Thousands of people lived there, and according to some estimates, about 10,000 people lived there.
That is, the Armenian leadership had no intention to return the Lachin region to Azerbaijan. When we talked about the Lachin corridor, both Armenia and its supporters always said that no, Lachin region is a separate issue. Although we were not told directly, there was always the opinion that the Lachin region should remain in Armenia in some form. I must also say that in connection with the negotiation process - I want the Azerbaijani people to hear this information from me - it is no coincidence that the issue of returning the occupied territories to Azerbaijan was at the center of the talks. This was our position. But here, too, a step-by-step solution was envisaged.
We also supported it. Return of five districts to Azerbaijan in the first stage, and return of Kalbajar and Lachin districts to Azerbaijan with the exception of Lachin corridor in the second stage. "Every time the Armenian side raised the issue that if these seven regions are returned to Azerbaijan, the status of Nagorno-Karabakh must be resolved at the same time," Aliyev said. The head of state added that it was another matter that Armenia was simply engaged in imitation by participating in the talks and did not intend to return any region to us: "But in any case, their position was that five districts could be returned, but for the return of Lachin and Kalbajar districts to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan must either recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh or recognize the voting there, set a date for voting. If Nagorno-Karabakh is granted independence, then Armenia will return the Kalbajar and Lachin regions to Azerbaijan, but the Lachin corridor would be given to Armenia, and the width of the corridor was not determined. These were the issues on the table. "
NEWS TAPE
