Azerbaijani MP: No regional project can be realized without Azerbaijan

No regional project being profitable enough for each side could be realized without Azerbaijan, member of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Rafael Huseynov said during the debate on the report on "How to assemble wealth, prosperity and happiness in changing Europe?" by MP from Greece Konstantinos Vrettos on the second day of PACE spring session.

Noting the need for sound policy frameworks to ensure sustainable economic development, Huseynov drew attention to military conflicts occurring between some member countries of the organization. He stressed that this is clearly manifested in the South Caucasus.

"My country has a crucial position in the region. The reality is that none of the regional projects that are quite beneficial for each partner can be implemented without the participation of Azerbaijan. Implementation of these projects via joint activities of all regional states, of course, may bring economic wealth and prosperity to each of the partner states. But it is not in its entirety. Because, Azerbaijan has been suffering from the occupation of neighboring Armenia for about 20 years and as a result of this occupation, 20% of its territories have been captured and about one million people became refugees and IDPs," Huseynov said.

Currently, analyzing the past and today's economic condition of peoples of the region and comparing their living standards, we observe that Armenians mainly suffered from the occupation. Although Armenia managed to make unhappy, deprive homes and make about one million people refugees, it has failed to own the captured lands. More than half of the Armenian populations leave their country due to unbearable economic situation. The rest of the country condemned to live in difficult economic conditions. The country remains away from all regional economic projects and the economic fall deepens each day and welfare of the population is constantly deteriorating.

On one hand, Armenia wants economic cooperation, and on the other hand, does not want to withdraw from occupied lands, the MP said. At the same time, Huseynov highlighted the importance of support to be provided by countries, who economically cooperate and want to cooperate with Azerbaijan, to country's territorial integrity and liberation of occupied lands.

"On one hand Armenia has territorial claims to Turkey, accuses this country without any reason in fictional "genocide", and, using a variety of methods of pressure, tries to force it to recognize the "genocide". And on the other hand it is thinking about opening the borders and seeks to achieve growth through increasing economic cooperation with Turkey. Of course, friendships, cooperation and partnership are not reached in this way", Huseynov said.

According to him, Armenia by pursuing such objectionable policy primarily acts against its own people.

"The territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and the welfare of the population are essential conditions for Azerbaijan. Each state seeking economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, and taking Azerbaijan as a partner should consider these conditions" - the MP said.

Huseynov added that it is pointless to hope for consistent cooperation with Azerbaijan without approaching the issue of liberating of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions from the standpoint of international law and justice.

"If we want wealth, prosperity and welfare of our peoples in a changing and renovating Europe and the world, we should respect the rights of other peoples and nations, to be constructive in all aspects of our relationship," said Rafael Huseynov.


/Trend/