Armenia must not try Azerbaijan's patience: President Aliyev

Azerbaijan wants peace and stability in the Caucasus, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev told the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Zangilan.

"We want peace and stability in the Caucasus. This is possible and the choice is Armenia's," Aliyev said.

In his speech, Aliyev reminded that all settlements in the region, including Zengilan, were destroyed during the Armenian occupation and said that they built the region from scratch. Aliyev talked about the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the failed mediation activities of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, the 2nd Karabakh War, and the process leading to the anti-terrorist operation on September 19.

In addition, the Azeri president recalled that the anti-terrorist operation in Karabakh lasted less than 24 hours.

"We didn't continue because we didn't intend to. We could have stopped wherever we wanted. It's not that hard to say that. But this was not our intention. We recognize the territorial integrity of Armenia and we are sincere about it. If our intentions were different, the operation would not have stopped on 20 September. I want everyone to know this," Aliyev added.

"Both the Armenian leadership and those who stand behind them should know this. I send the following message to the parties that are making unacceptable plans against Azerbaijan: Do not play with our patience. We are patient but determined. We can prove that we are right and we are doing it. We are doing this not because we are strong, but because justice is on our side," he emphasized.

Finally, Aliyev stated that the full sovereignty of the country was ensured after the anti-terrorist operation in Karabakh.

"After that, it will be easier to sign the peace agreement. We should also actively work on the demarcation of borders and put an end to this long-standing conflict. Azerbaijan wants peace. We want to restore these territories and return our compatriots to their homeland," he noted.

WHAT HAPPENED

The State Department of Highways of Azerbaijan announced that 2 employees of the institution lost their lives as a result of the detonation of an anti-tank mine during the passage of a vehicle belonging to the State Department of Highways carrying out work on the Ahmadbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway.

Immediately afterward, a mine exploded during the passage of the police vehicle traveling to the scene. As a result of the explosion, 4 police officers lost their lives. After the terrorist attack, Azerbaijan announced the launch of an "anti-terrorist" operation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Azerbaijan Defence Ministry stated that it was determined that the Armenian forces reinforced their positions with personnel, armored vehicles, artillery equipment, and other means, made their units combat-ready at a high level, formed reinforcement units, expanded intelligence activities against the Azerbaijani army, and carried out actions such as re-laying mines on mined lands.

Source: Anadolu Agency