Azerbaijan Expects Resolution from Russia on Illegal Visits by Foreigners to Nagorno-Karabakh, Says Aliyev

Azerbaijan is awaiting a resolution from Russia regarding the "illegal visits" of foreign citizens to Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated this in an interview with the Italian publication La Repubblica.

“Foreigners must obtain permission from Azerbaijan to visit Azerbaijani territories under the responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers,” said Aliyev. At the same time, he expressed general satisfaction with the activities of the Russian peacekeepers. According to him, Russian peacekeepers are deployed in Azerbaijan in the "Karabakh region."

Responding to a question about tensions with Iran, Aliyev noted that “the road between some towns in Armenia passes through Azerbaijani territory,” and they have seen that this road has been used for the illegal transfer of goods to Karabakh.

“We prepared a diplomatic note, summoned the ambassador, and publicized it to stop this. But in reality, the situation worsened—the number of trucks going from Iran to Karabakh increased. We considered this step a blow, an arbitrary disrespect. Then we took other measures that were entirely legal, which caused significant confusion and unnecessary actions in the neighboring country. There were unnecessary statements, threats were made, and exercises were conducted near our border...,” said Aliyev.