Head of the Presidential Administration’s department for socio-political affairs Ali Hasanov`s interview to AZERTAC

-Another meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia took place August 9-10 in Sochi at the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. What can you say about the results of this meeting?

- This is the 12th meeting between the heads of the two countries at the initiative of the Minsk Group co-chair country. Of course, every meeting is expected to produce positive results. This is because the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute is set to acquire the “status” of the longest standing conflict. This conflict has derailed the peaceful life in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus and posed a threat to the regional peace and security in Eurasia over the past 20 years. Such meetings held in various formats, in particular through the direct dialogue of the presidents, never go unnoticed.

More specifically, I want to note with respect to the results of the Sochi meeting that this meeting was necessary amidst the attacks of the reconnaissance and sabotage groups of the Armenian occupation troops and bloody clashes in the conflict area. As a matter of fact, the initiative of Russian President Putin can be regarded as the peacemaking initiative to restore the shattered ceasefire. It became clear from the Russian President’s speech that his country realizes its mission in the South Caucasus as the great power, that is, responsibility for peace and security and the negative impact that the military conflict between the two sides can have on the whole Caucasus. At the bilateral and trilateral meetings Putin focused its attention, first of all, on the restoration and protection of ceasefire and peaceful and negotiated solution to the conflict, restoration of trust among the parties. On the other hand, the Russian President labeled “protraction of the conflict as the factor that damages the positive dynamics of the processes.” This can also be considered a positive approach of this country to the resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Therefore, Russia`s position can be described in general as follows: existing status quo must be overcome soon through peace and talks.

As always, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted at this meeting that his country strives for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, establishment of the regional peace in the South Caucasus most of all but he set the condition - implementation of four UN resolutions on withdrawal of the Armenian forces from the occupied lands, return of refugees and IDPS to their homes and restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. At the meeting of this format held with attendance of President of Russia, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev for the first time called Armenia as the occupant referring to the UN resolutions, stating that unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops is the major condition.

As to the Armenian President`s stance, the “portfolio of arguments” of this country at the talks proved to be empty as always. The “arguments” of Sargsyan against the fact of occupation of the Azerbaijani lands and famous UN resolutions on mitigation of consequences of this occupation did not have any ground. His position was based on minor provincial complaints against Azerbaijan and felt like a “bunch of hypocrisy” that does not reflect the reality.

Accusing Azerbaijan of not “observing” some “conditions” and minor vassal complaints to the President of Russia “about this neighbor” bring to mind the “complaints” of small vassals to the Russian tsar in the empire era. These accusations against Azerbaijan under some minor pretexts cannot be called differently.

As far as the outcome of talks is concerned, analysts claim the results of the Sochi meeting can be regarded as positive as a whole. Resumption of direct contacts at the level of the heads of states after nine months and the meetings held in different formats will have a positive effect on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

- In his statement made to the Armenian press following the meeting, Serzh Sargsyan threatened Azerbaijan, claiming his country is capable of turning all the towns of Azerbaijan into “Agdam”.

- Frankly speaking, such type of statements that Sargsyan used to make before as well and makes them now illustrate dramatically that Armenia is run by the people with extremist mind. If you remember, he confessed in one of his interviews in early 2000s that by committing the Khojaly genocide, Armenians fulfilled a punitive operation against Azerbaijanis. Sargyan forgets that it is not the early 90s of the last century and Azerbaijan is not that country any more. In that statement, Sargsyan acknowledged that the economic and military power is in favor of Azerbaijan. That is why, we would like to say that if the regime in Armenia is willing to push its luck from now on, it can continue its aggressive policy.

- Fraternal Turkey directly elected its president yesterday for the first time in its history. The results are already known. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won the elections. As a whole, how do you evaluate the results of the elections and victory of Erdogan?

- First and foremost, I cordially congratulate the people of Turkey on these elections. As always, these elections were held in a democratic and fair manner. The victory was gained fairly by chairman of the AK Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan. We congratulate Mr. Erdogan as the President of the friendly and fraternal country on the victory in the elections, and wish him every success in the policy, which he pursues for the sake of the future of Turkey. The choice of people is the wisest decision and it is wrong to subjectively assess it. The Turkish people decided this way and expressed their wise decision through voting. I wish the Turkish people and the Turkish Republic every success. As a friendly and fraternal country, Azerbaijan will continue strategic partnership and cooperation as it has been until now. We wish that this time and as always president-elect Erdogan will lead the fraternal country to the future through the right way and make his first visit as the President to Azerbaijan.