Ilham Aliyev: Kerry’s statement reveals why Karabakh conflict remains unsettled

The latest statement by US Secretary of State John Kerry is a political incident, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Sputnik.

 

"I commented on this statement at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of on October 7. I said blaming Azerbaijan for the conflict remaining unsettled is at least inhumane,” said the president, noting that this statement is contrary to the US position on the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

 

Ilham Aliyev stressed that President Obama, along with French and Russian counterparts, stated that the status quo in the conflict is unacceptable.

 

"Now all of a sudden the secretary of state says the conflict’s settlement is unlikely and that this is far more difficult to settle than the Israel-Palestine conflict is,” added the president. "What a message is this? And who does he refer to? Is it a message to Armenia that they should prolong the problem like the Israel-Palestine conflict? This is a statement that is absolutely unacceptable.”

 

Kerry’s statement reveals why Karabakh conflict remains unsettled, noted Ilham Aliyev.

 

The head of state mentioned that the decision and resolutions of international organization on the conflict’s settlement remain unfulfilled.

 

"The occupying country is not facing any pressure, on the contrary, there is a policy of encouraging the aggressor. That's our problem,” said the Azerbaijani president. "They are telling us that the conflict must be resolved by peaceful means. We are offering to solve it, as it is unfair to violate the international law, occupy territories of another country, deport people from their lands and keep these lands under control.”

 

It is not secret that the Azerbaijani army has a military potential to solve most of problems, noted President Aliyev.  

 

"We're told to follow the path of peace, we say – well, we are waiting. And instead of putting pressure on the aggressor, we hear such statement,” he said.