Azerbaijani Ambassador addresses real situation in the South Caucasus in a letter to an Italian newspaper
The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy, Rashad Aslanov, discussed the realities of Azerbaijan and the peace process with Armenia in a letter addressed to the “Corriere della Sera” newspaper.
In response to an article by journalist Gian Antonio Stella, the ambassador recalled in his letter that Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territories were subjected to illegal occupation for nearly 30 years. He noted that since the 1990s, Armenian armed forces occupied Garabagh, resulting in almost one million Azerbaijanis becoming refugees and internally displaced persons. Among them, 300,000 Azerbaijanis were forcibly displaced from Armenia, deprived of the opportunity to return to their homes. Various international documents have repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of Armenian military forces from Azerbaijani territories.
The diplomat emphasized that the Armenians who left the territories liberated from occupation in 2023 did so of their own will, unlike the hardships endured by Azerbaijanis in the 1990s. Reports and statements from representatives of specialized UN bodies, who visited the region twice and are operating in Armenia, confirm that there was no violence or pressure exerted on the Armenian residents. The International Court of Justice's decision on November 17, 2023, further reaffirmed Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This decision includes the obligation to ensure the security of all residents, regardless of their national and ethnic background.
The ambassador stated that Azerbaijan, with its multicultural and multiethnic traditions, preserves and restores any historical treasures on its territory, with the Armenian church in the center of Baku serving as clear evidence of this. During the occupation, however, all of Azerbaijan's religious and cultural monuments in Garabagh, including museums and schools, were destroyed, with over 60 mosques being demolished. A similar situation occurred in Armenia, where no evidence of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage remains today.
"Today, we stand before a historic opportunity to sign a peace agreement in the South Caucasus and ensure stability and prosperity in the region," the diplomat emphasized.
In response to the author's baseless remarks about Italy-Azerbaijan relations, Rashad Aslanov highlighted that the ties between the two countries are characterized by loyalty and friendship.