Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Republic, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev received the EU delegation led by Special Envoy for Southern Caucasus Heike Talvitie.

The Minister first congratulated newly appointed Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan Roland Blatman, who also was amongst the EU delegation members.

Having informed the guests on the history of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev noted that Azerbaijan was a member of the United Nations, which had recognized the country within the limits of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, and that the UN’s Security Council had adopted 4 resolutions on unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian occupational forces from the Azerbaijani lands. Thus, the United Nations has, in fact, confirmed the occupation and recognized Armenia as an aggressor.

Unfortunately, the Minister continued, the global community has not yet frankly condemned the country for the aggressive policy. Lately, however, efforts have been intensified, and the European Union has also been actively involved in the conflicts resolution, and we believe the European Union and other states, will tell the truth at last, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev said.

If all resources were exhausted, he added finally, extreme measures would be taken to release the occupied territories.

Ambassador Heike Talvitie affirmed that the European Union had joined the peace process to help the Minsk group, and stressed the importance of having objective first-hand information.

In this connection, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev described the current situation in the troops’ contact line as very tense. The today’s Armenian leadership had been brought to power by a wave of aggressive separatism. As long as they are in power, the conflict will remain frozen, he said. The Minister noted as well that protraction of the conflict’s resolution increases probability of resuming military operations. He also informed the EU delegation members on concentration of a large number of ammunition and military equipment, and cultivation and transportation of narcotic substances on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

They are international terrorists, and the Armenian aggressive policy poses threat not only to Azerbaijan but the large-scale economic projects being implemented in the region with involvement of the European countries and USA.