13:42, 1 March 2004

Azerbaijan Defense Minister: "If the Karabakh conflict is not resolved soon, Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity"

Azerbaijan Defense Minister Safar Abiyev discussed the situation around the resolution of the Karabakh conflict with PACE rapporteur on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Terry Davis on February 27.

Safar Abiyev announced that Azerbaijan considered Nagorny Karabakh and areas adjacent to it its territory, reported the Defense Ministry's press service. "If this issue is not settled soon through negotiations, we will restore our territorial integrity," said the minister. Azerbaijan has not told its last word, noted Mr Abiyev.

"We are offered to come to an agreement with the occupants, but we cannot accept such an unfair principle since the aggressor will never free the occupied lands," said Safar Abiyev. He holds the Armenian party will try to join the occupied lands to Armenia, which will mean "the beginning of a war."

Editors note: See also the article "PACE rapporteur on Karabakh conflict arrives in Baku".

Source: REGNUM News Agency