BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 6. If Armenia is really interested in peace, it must respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan not only in words but also in deeds, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement in response to the statements made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a government meeting on July 6, Trend reports.
"The statements made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a government meeting on July 6, aimed at portraying Azerbaijan in a negative light, are absolutely groundless.
Contrary to the requirements of international law and the obligations set forth in the Trilateral Statement, Pashinyan's repetition of statements that the armed forces present on Azerbaijan's territory do not belong to Armenia, reminiscent of the rhetoric used during the occupation, indicates that Armenia has not abandoned its misguided policies.
It is illogical to deny that the armed forces under the command of the Armenian Ministry of Defense and convicted by Armenian courts belong to Armenia.
Armenia's claims that Azerbaijan lacks interest in opening communication lines and its refusal to provide unobstructed access to Nakhchivan, in violation of the Trilateral Statement, demonstrate Armenia's disregard for its obligations.
We would like to remind the Prime Minister, who denies the mine threat against Azerbaijan, that it was Armenia's mines that resulted in over 300 Azerbaijani casualties following the 44-day war in 2020. Additionally, the majority of the maps, which Armenia denied for a significant period and only presented after international pressure, have proven to be unreliable. More than 55 percent of the explosions leading to loss of life occurred in areas where these maps were not provided.
If the Armenian side genuinely seeks peace, it should also demonstrate this through actions, respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Armenia must immediately withdraw its armed forces from Azerbaijani territory, which pose a threat to peace and security in the region," the statement said.