Aliyev’s threat requires serious approach by Armenia, says politician

13:26 – 11.01.14

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict has to be treated very seriously by Armenia, according to a
politician.

`This approach [that a settlement of the Karabakh conflict would be
possible in case Armenia adopts a `constructive’ position] implies one
thing, an unconditional capitulation of the Armenian side. The
Azerbaijani leader is probably confident that that a repetition of the
Kars and Moscow treaties is absolutely realistic nowadays, so we must
seriously treat such a threat,’ Arman Melikyan, a former foreign
minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, told Tert.am.

His comment came to oppose to an earlier remark by David Babayan, a
presidential spokesperson, who described Aliyev’s statement as a Santa
Claus trick.

In a speech delivered at a recent cabinet meeting the Azerbaijani
leader said that a progress in the conflict settlement efforts can be
achieved within very short timeframes in case Armenia demonstrates a
`realistic outlook’. Aliyev pointed out particularly Azerbaijan’s
growing potential which he said would increase his country’s
advantages over Armenia.

Aliyev further expressed confidence that a solution must and will be
achieved without violation of his country’s territorial integrity.