Issues of army construction are always in the focus of attention. It is the main issue for us because Azerbaijani lands have been under occupation for many years. The occupation is still ongoing. We must enhance our military capacity to the maximum extent possible. A lot is being done to achieve that, practical measures are being taken. Issues of army construction have been successfully dealt with in Azerbaijan in recent years. We must step up our military potential on a daily basis so that the Azerbaijani army could meet the highest standards.
Armenia’s occupying policy against Azerbaijan has lasted for many years. Back in the times of the Soviet Union, Armenian nationalists were making every effort to separate Upper Qarabag from Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, due to the negligence of the people who led Azerbaijan in the late 1980s-early 1990s we encountered great difficulties. The occupation of Azerbaijani lands started and is still ongoing.
As a result of the occupation of Susa and Lacin in 1992 and Kalbacar District in 1993, a geographical connection was actually established between Armenia and Upper Qarabag. Of course, the enemy thus gained additional opportunity to occupy other Azerbaijani districts. We remember that only too well. We are aware that while occupying Azerbaijani lands Armenia and its foreign benefactors demonstrated horrifying brutality. In 1992, the Xocali genocide was perpetrated. As result of that bloodcurdling genocide, over 600 innocent people were massacred. This genocide has documentary evidence. In other words, we are showing it to the world today using documentary proof, photo and video footage.
As a result of the policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis, up to one million of our fellow countrymen have become refugees and IDPs. Armenia is flagrantly breaching all legal norms. Resolutions of the UN Security Council demand unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijani lands, but they have yet to be implemented. Decisions of the highest UN body are not implemented, while the international community remains indifferent to that.
We have been in the process of talks for many years. In 1992, the Minsk Group was established and has already operated for about 20 years. Different proposals were made at different times, but were never materialized. The proposals were very unsuccessful. The main reason for that is the non-constructive position of Armenia and the actual continuation of its occupying policy.
Some hopes emerged in the new stage of talks in recent years. These hopes gradually increased because certain stages have been reached and certain issues agreed in the process of negotiations. Those issues could not be agreed on earlier. The Madrid principles, which emerged as a result of collective effort, and the proposals submitted to the parties on the basis of that may lay the groundwork for resolving the issue.
I have repeatedly expressed my opinion about that: in principle, the Azerbaijani side may view the updated proposals, with some exceptions, quite positively. These proposals may serve as a basis for a peace agreement.
I want to reiterate that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity has never been and will never be a subject of discussion. Our position is based on international law, historical justice and real logic. Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity must be restored. Armenian occupying forces must withdraw from all occupied lands. Only after that can peace be established and communications opened. The Armenians living in Upper Qarabag today and the Azerbaijanis who will return there will enjoy a high status of autonomy there. They must live within the Azerbaijani state. In other words, there is no mechanism capable of separating Upper Qarabag from Azerbaijan now or in the future. This has been explicitly stated in the talks. Under such circumstances, I want to repeat, the latest proposals may serve as a basis for the preparation of the agreement.
However, despite that, Armenia’s position shows again that it does not want peace. They simply want to prolong the status-quo as far as possible. They don’t want to vacate occupied lands. They want to continue this occupation. They are making artificial attempts to demonstrate an alleged adherence to negotiations. They simply try to delay the process of talks and make them somewhat permanent, eternal.
Of course, the Azerbaijani side will never agree to that. We have repeatedly said that we will take part in the talks as long as they can produce real results. The Azerbaijani side was and is demonstrating maximum flexibility. Our biggest compromise is that although our lands have been under occupation for about 20 years, Azerbaijan is still adhering to a peace process.
The Armenian side has repeatedly undermined the process of talks through different ways, even by committing terror in its own country. Despite that, we have always displayed a constructive approach in an effort to resolve the issue in peace. We have wanted the issue to be resolved in peace, so that peace and cooperation can be established in the region.
It is also true - we have repeatedly said that and the present situation is proving us right – that no other regional issues can be resolved without the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Qarabag. Not because Azerbaijan will be against that – we are and will always be protecting our national interests and have achieved successes in that. But simply because the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Qarabag is adversely affecting all regional processes.
Without the settlement of this problem and without the participation of Azerbaijan, no other regional initiatives or developments can be possible. This is reality in the region and Azerbaijan has played an exceptional part in shaping it up.
The policy we have pursued in recent years, the strengthening of our positions in the region, the construction of a strong state, our economic potential, and the ongoing economic, industrial and energy initiatives have made Azerbaijan considerably stronger.
Therefore, no-one can deny this regional factor. No-one can ignore our interests. Plans aiming to isolate us to some extent cannot be implemented. The latest developments proved that again. We will continue defending our national interests in all possible ways and work towards establishing large-scale cooperation in the region. The key factor in this large-scale cooperation is the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Qarabag. We can’t see constructivism on the part of Armenia yet. They keep on dragging out the problem. They keep on attempting to deceive international mediators. Much to our regret, I can say that certain international organizations want to turn a blind eye to Armenia’s insincere conduct, as if justifying its obvious attempts to disrupt the talks. Of course, this worries us a lot because the international community should respect at least its own decisions.
Azerbaijani lands have been under illegal occupation for many years. A policy of ethnic cleansing was conducted against us. All our cultural, religious and historical monuments have been destroyed. The material wealth in all our occupied districts has been looted.
Historical exhibits from all our museums have been plundered by Armenian thieves. Armenian barbarians have razed all our mosques to the ground. We cannot tolerate such brutality, such injustice.
Therefore, this meeting has special importance. It is no secret that along with the development of other spheres, Azerbaijan is paying great attention to the military industry. This is our natural approach because Azerbaijan is at war. The war is not over, only its first stage is. We must be able to liberate our lands in a military way at any moment.
The steps Azerbaijan is taking in all directions have been very successful. For the last five to six years we have been world leaders from an economic standpoint. A lot is being done in the area of economic reforms, political reforms are under way. There is stability and calm in the country. There are all freedoms in Azerbaijan. In other words, the country is developing dynamically and comprehensively. Improvement work is under way in all districts. There is no need for enumerating all infrastructure projects and the work done.
I simply want to indicate that, along with other spheres, a lot is being done in the area of army building. In the last five to six years our military expenditure has increased more than 10 times. Military training is at a high level. There is high morale in the army and all armed forces. A lot of hardware, weapons and ammunition have been purchased in recent several years. This process is continuing, and it is our natural right.
Several years ago, when our economic capacities weren’t as high as now and our energy projects were still under way, I said we should make our military expenditure equal to Armenia’s total expenditure. Of course, there was a big difference between the two figures at the time, but today, in 2010, we have achieved that. We can spend as much as we want on military issues now, as we do.
Of course, it is no secret that the difference between Armenia and Azerbaijan today – be it military, economic or any other sphere – is immense. I can say that this difference is increasing with every day, this gap is expanding by the day. If we look at the present situation, we can see that the Azerbaijani army is stronger and more professional than Armenian in all respects. Soldiers serving in the Armenian armed forces are joining the Azerbaijani side in large numbers. What they are saying here and the facts they are providing are evidence of the deplorable situation in the Armenian army. This process is still under way and, beyond doubt, will be continued.
Our military capacities are strengthening with every day, our economic potential is growing. We don’t depend on anyone for help. Today Azerbaijan is one of a handful of countries of the region living at its own expense, and living better with every day. We don’t depend on any assistance and loans. Under such circumstances, of course, the difference between Armenia and Azerbaijan – be it economic sphere, army construction, demographic issues – will be expanding. Azerbaijan’s population is growing every year, this year our nine-millionth citizen was born. The demographic situation in Armenia is worsening with every year. Natural decrease is observed. At the same time, the number of people leaving Armenia is also increasing. This is what the situation is like now, in 2010. We are aware that the Armenian army is short of manpower even at the line of contact. Certain measures announced in the country lately are evidence of the dire situation they are in. They are increasing the age limit of those called up for mobilization. Armenian manpower cannot be compared to the human potential of Azerbaijan. This is an important issue, and, as is the case with all other spheres, we have the advantage here.
Along with all this work, Azerbaijan is rapidly developing its military industry. Major resources and attention are being allocated to this sphere. Many plants were set up in recent years. The most state-of-the-art hardware is produced in Azerbaijan. We have extensive and great plans for this sector. We want the ammunition and hardware we need to be produced in Azerbaijan to the maximum extent possible. We will thus reduce our dependence on imports even though we have no problem with buying weapons and ammunition. And this process is and will be continued.
I want to repeat that although Armenia’s insincere conduct is quite obvious, we are still treating the process of talks positively. We are still waiting for an answer from Armenia. If the latest proposals are accepted, then work can start on a peace agreement. If the proposals are not accepted, then we should revise the process of negotiations and Azerbaijan will certainly demonstrate its stance in such a situation.
And now we will exchange views on additional measures in the sphere of army building. The floor is given to Defense Minister Safar Abiyev.
