Azerbaijan has nothing to hide in Garabagh Presidential aide talks to Deutsche Welle

Azerbaijani presidential aide, head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev gave an interview to Deutsche Welle, in which he said that Azerbaijan does not force anyone to leave Garabagh and that the departure is a personal and individual decision of the residents.

Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev shared the interview on his X page, Caliber.Az reports.

The conversation with Hikmet Hajiyev began with a question about claims of possible "ethnic cleansing" (inverted commas - Caliber.Az) being carried out in Garabagh by Azerbaijan.

- First of all, we perceive such expressions as ethnic cleansing as an insult and humiliation of the Azerbaijani people, and there has never been such a case in the history of the Azerbaijani people. Azerbaijan provides secure corridors for the representatives of the peaceful population, who on the basis of individual choice and in a free manner decide to leave for the Republic of Armenia due to current circumstances. Again, this is a free choice. Azerbaijan ensures their freedom of movement. In the meantime, there are secure and decent communications with local Armenians who have decided to leave for the Republic of Armenia - it is their personal individual decision.

- Were they, in fact, essentially expelled from their homes?

- No, they were not forced. Because the Republic of Azerbaijan, as a result of counter-terrorist measures on the ground, firstly, did not enter civilian settlements and major cities. These measures were limited by nature, and the Azerbaijani forces and police are mainly guided by these principles. We are also in close contact with local Armenian representatives and are trying to alleviate the humanitarian situation on the ground. There are no forceful actions and there are no registered facts.

- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the mission of international observers can enter Garabagh only with the agreement of the Azerbaijani side. What is your position on this matter? If you have nothing to hide, then you will surely let the international mission in.

- Azerbaijan has nothing to hide, it does not intend to create a restricted zone over there (in Garabagh - Caliber.Az). And we are currently in contact with our colleagues from the relevant UN offices in Azerbaijan. The UN office in Baku is accredited for the entire territory of Azerbaijan, and some of their representatives and experts could also have access, of course, security must be applied on the ground. But, of course, we do not see the need for any international observer mission and so on, because the realities are obvious, Azerbaijan has nothing to hide. Some things are very difficult in the meantime. This is quite understandable because, in every such situation, certain difficulties and challenges are emerging. But at the same time, the Azerbaijani side has a strong determination to ensure equal rights for Armenian civilians on the ground, and we are also delighted to see that two intensive rounds of discussions have been held with their representatives on an inclusive process where we can ensure their rights and security on the ground.

- We see that Washington and Moscow have made some clear statements to each other. Are you worried that your country is becoming a tool in this broader political issue?

- I have already said that Azerbaijan has always been against any kind of geopolitical competition in our region. The region has suffered a lot. And this is also a message to all our European partners. The region should not be seen through the prism of geopolitical competition and everyone should exert efforts to find peace in the region. I think this will be a crucial historical moment when Armenia and Azerbaijan could be much closer to a peace treaty.