President Ilham Aliyev yesterday visited Azerbaijani troops in Agdam District, on the line of contact with the Armenian occupying force.

Aliyev met servicemen that participated in recent fighting with Armenian troops, giving them awards for their exemplary service.

In comments broadcast on state television, Aliyev said Azerbaijan will liberate Nagorno-Karabakh and all Armenian-occupied territory.

“Our flag will be raised in all occupied towns, including Xankandi and Shusha,” Aliyev said. “Azerbaijan will restore its sovereignty over the occupied territory. This is our goal.”

More than 10 Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed in skirmishes with the enemy in the past week. Armenians have confirmed the deaths of six of their soldiers, although the enemy has always hidden its losses, Aliyev said.

Today the Azerbaijani army possesses the most up-to-date weapons, including air-defense systems, artillery, high-precision rockets, aircraft and tanks, Aliyev said, adding, “We are capable of destroying any target inside Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“We are ready for both war and peace,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet Aliyev and the Armenian leader, Serzh Sargsyan, in Sochi at the end of the week.

Bakudaily.Az