'Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan both historically and legally’

What is happening in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic?

For the beginning, could you tell us what is Nagorno-Karabakh?

First of all, Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan both historically and legally. It is important to know that officially no country in the world, no international organization, including Armenia, has recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent country. No one! Though, the Soviet Union started to fall after such conflicts like in Georgia. There were events in in the Baltic states, as well as in Karabakh. In 1998, on the threshold on the Soviet Union fall, there were specially prepared provocations, when the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh decided not to submit to Baku, then there was a massacre, then the Azerbaijani population was expelled, then the conflict, war. In 1994, they called a truce. Since that, we are in a state of truce.

You should understand that there has not been a classical truce. Every single day, the parties were exchanging shots from different weapons, people were occasionally killed from both sides. The battle line just hasn't changed.

For example, a few days ago they provoked us, and a heavy shelling of Azerbaijani positions has begun. Azerbaijani armed forces were forced to respond, then took the offensive and repulsed the front line into the occupied territories. And just since yesterday, the two sides have stopped fire. Now it seems to be relatively quiet, on the front line the tension has slightly subsided.

'Just since yesterday, the two sides have stopped fire.' Photo: ap.org

Does that territory possess with some natural resources?

Nagorno – Karabakh is a unique nature area. It is a beautiful place, there is a huge number of plants-endemics. There are a lot of mineral deposits — gold and other metals from the periodic table. Yes, maybe there is no oil, it has never been extracted there. But there are a lot of precious metals there. It is a peace of paradise. These are the most valuable sources of water, there are a variety of mineral water.

Gamid, it is true that the population of the Armenians prevailed there?

There were separate cities, where the number of Armenians was more. It is a fact, we don't deny that. But it's the same, if Azerbaijanis, Armenians or Tatars, who moved to Moscow, live in a particular area, and their number becomes slightly higher than the number of the local population. It doesn't give them the right to claim independence, to separate the area from Moscow and to declare independence and say that it is their land.

In the case of Karabakh, it was the same. Armenians for years have been flocking there, it's a good, beautiful, great place. In some cities they were more, there were purely Armenian villages. But it is the Azerbaijani land. And with this problem we have been living for more than 20 years, and we can't to return Nagorno-Karabakh. Because if international players-heavyweights will leave us one-on-one with Armenia, we will return all of this before the week is out. And the Armenians know it. And what happened a few days ago, once again proved it.

What is happening there now?

The Azerbaijani army repulsed the Armenians. The Armenian front line has changed. The Armenian armed forces were forced to retreat. And those areas, which the Azerbaijani army returned under its control, now is being strengthened. But the tension is still high. If the parties do not bombard each other with heavy weapons, it does not mean that there are no shootings. Officially, since yesterday 12 a.m., both sides agreed on a ceasefire.

'The tension is still high. If the parties do not bombard each other with heavy weapons, it does not mean that there is no shootings.' Photo: ap.org

Si vis pacem, para bellum

Is it true that Azerbaijan was preparing for war, increasing military expenditure, increasing military potencial?

We have always been preparing for war. But we have declared that we are ready to resolve the issue peacefully. We do not exclude a military solution of the conflict. Because for more than 20 years the problem has not resolved peacefully. Yerevan torpedoes all negotiations. You need to understand that not only Nagorno-Karabakh is occupied. 20% of Azerbaijani territory is occupied, in addition to the Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. Even Yerevan is not doubted the belonging of these regions to Azerbaijan. That is, Yerevan says: 'Yes, it's your land. We have occupied it, but we will give it back when you recognize that Nagorno-Karabakh is an independent territory. For us, it is a buffer zone'. We reply: 'Dudes, no buffer zone should be. You want negotiations? Let's conduct them. What Nagorno-Karabakh is must be decided by its residents. Now it is inhabited only by Armenians, Azerbaijanis were expelled from there. In order to decide the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijanis must return there. Then there must be a referendum. But, first of all, return those seven areas that you have occupied around Nagorno-Karabakh.' That is the difficulty. The Armenians say us to agree with the independence of Karabakh, and we are for the referendum, but to start with the return of these seven areas.

And the Minsk Group (Russia, the USA, France) can do nothing, although it is designed to resolve the problem. The resolution of the conflict peacefully for 20 years has not moved one iota. We, of course, are increasing the armament, have bought it. Fortunately, in recent years, high oil prices allowed us to increase the military budget. And Azerbaijan's military budget was larger than the budget of the whole Republic of Armenia. It is normal practice: we purchased arms, and Armenia has also purchased as much as it could afford it. Our financial resources were much higher.

Who is interested in the conflict?

How do the Turkish structures affect the Azerbaijani army?

They do not affect at all. Our army is self-sufficient, does not need in outside influences. We have our own military traditions. Our military was trained in Turkey, and at NATO courses, and in the Russian universities. We have enough skilled army corps. There is no such situation that Turkish commanders came and affected our army.

In General, how strong is the influence of the Turkish Republic to Azerbaijan?

As strong as the influence of the United States or Russia. Turkey is our neighbor, one of allies and partners, fraternal state. Depending on what exactly you want to say.

'The resolution of the conflict peacefully for 20 years has not moved one iota.' Photo: ap.org

For example, some experts say that the current escalation plays into Turkey's hands to some extent.

I've come across this point of view, but I don't understand why Turkey would benefit from that. I don't believe in a war 'wall to wall', when Azerbaijan with the Turks on the one side, and the Armenians with the Russians — on the other. It will not happen. Why Turkey would heat the war in Karabakh? I don't see the logic of such experts.

You should understand that Azerbaijan had no sense to start a war. We will hold Formula One for the first time in July. In summer, there will be the World Chess Olympiad – the best chess players will come there. The 2017, Islamiade will be– All-Islamic games.

Due to the fall in oil prices in 2015 we have experienced two devaluations of the manat. We are not in the condition to flaunt the muscles, to provoke the situation and start a war. We didn't start the war when we had enough money because we are for the peaceful resolution of the conflict. Moreover, we have no reason to start it now. Yes, it does not mean that if they shoot, we'll hide. If they shot, we would respond adequately. But, at the same time, we are not interested in the war now. Russia could have a partial interest in the war to show itself as a peacemaker once again. And Armenia is interested in withdrawing from talks and say: 'You see, we cannot negotiate with an opponent who's shooting at us'. And it can torpedo the negotiations another several years. It is beneficial for anyone, but not for us.

Could you tell us about the role of Russia in this conflict, including in its settlement?

I don't know whether you newspaper will allow you to publish it. The role of Russia is huge. Despite the fact that the parties to the conflict are Azerbaijan and Armenia. In fact, Russia might be called a full participant in this conflict, because its participation has contributed the conflict exacerbation, due to Russia it entered the armistice on the terms and the borders, in what it has remained. We know that at the early stages of the conflict the Russian armed forces helped a lot Armenian army, entire brigades of motorized infantry platoons fought. Also, Russia had influenced politically by supporting Armenia, including by supplying information. Russia is a full participant in the conflict that can resolve it now if it presses on Yerevan.

'Now there are no people who would openly write on Facebook or somewhere else that they are dissatisfied with the leadership of the country'. Photo: a-r.az

What is the role of the Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia Polad Bülbüloğlu in the process?

He can't play any role. Only the heads of states play the role in resolving the conflict. But the fact that he does work, performs an ambassadorial function well enough… He is invited to TV channels, he explains the position of Azerbaijan for the Russian population, he does it quite convincingly.

A rating of Ilham Aliyev

Does the military base in Gyumri play any role?

We are not going to attack Armenia. We only want to return our territories occupied by Armenia. For Armenia, it is definitely the support. And as far as I know, in Gyumri a huge amount of Armenians with Russian passports serve there.

Is it true that Ilham Aliyev is trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds by avoiding taking sides of neither Russia nor Turkey?

What about the USA? What about the EU? In the last years of independence, at all international meetings we said that we are for a multi-vector foreign policy. We maintain equidistant relations with all partners. We are not going to change the direction to one side or another. Who tries to win us over in light of the current world politics events? What negotiations are taking place? We don't know. But the fact that we are trying to maintain good relations with all sides, it is true.