FM: 'Armenia is fully responsible for deaths of Azerbaijani servicemen'

Yerevan is solely responsible for the deaths of young Azerbaijani military, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev told Trend. He was commenting on recent statements by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

"We know who is responsible for situation on the line of contact. Armenian leadership is fully responsible for the deaths of young people on the front line due to the fact that this aggressor country has for many years occupied twenty percent of Azerbaijani territories, resulting in a fact that million Azerbaijanis can not return to their homes," Abdullayev said.

The leadership of Armenia continues its policy of occupation, trying to shift blame to others, he said.

"If the leaders of Armenia believe that by provocations and unfounded allegations, they will be able to hide or justify their past crimes, they are mistaken. Azerbaijan will achieve a just punishment for those guilty of crimes against humanity," Abdullayev said.

He said indifference shown by Armenia for many years to international law and ignoring the documents and resolutions adopted by international organizations can not remain without reaction and condemnation of the international community.

Due to the destructive activities and policies of expansion of the Armenian leadership the region has turned into a conflict zone, which prevents its prosperity, Abdullayev said.

"We have not forgotten the boastful 'confessions' of the Armenian leaders of ethnic cleansing, the extermination of civilians - the genocide in Khojaly, as well as statements about the impossibility of coexistence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis," he said.

Azerbaijani state now has the legal right and all the opportunities to restore its territorial integrity, which is clearly reflected in international law, Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

The situation on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops has escalated recently. Ceasefire is violated in all directions on the contact line between the troops.

On June 5 as a result of the Armenian Armed Forces' provocation five Azerbaijani servicemen were killed.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. - are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.


/Trend/