Aliyev: Two Events in September Marked Our Crossing of the Red Line

The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, addressed the issue of the illegally detained and transferred former leaders of Artsakh during the event titled «Karabakh: Returning Home After 30 Years. Achievements and Challenges.»

“In my meeting with the residents returned to Lachin, I mentioned that there is a normal solution to this issue. I said at that time that if the ‘separatist’ leaders surrender, they could be granted amnesty. Unfortunately, my words were once again not properly appreciated. Today, the ‘separatist’ leaders are in Azerbaijan. They threatened us that they would come to Azerbaijan and Baku with tanks. Today, they are awaiting trial in Azerbaijan and the final decision of our judicial system. But, unfortunately, the people who had ‘monopolized’ power there did not allow this to happen,” said Aliyev.

Aliyev noted, “In addition, two events occurred in September that marked our crossing of the red line. First, the congratulatory message from the Prime Minister of Armenia on the so-called independence of the ‘Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,’ which completely contradicts what the Prime Minister of Armenia said and signed. Because last October, Armenia and its Prime Minister officially recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. After this and numerous statements made in the same spirit, sending a congratulatory letter to the ‘separatists’ became completely unacceptable and highly controversial for us.”

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev also stated that Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assessing the recent comments from Armenia regarding the peace treaty on November 21.