Deputy FM: Conflicts escalating due to impunity for breaking int’l law

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev has said that impunity for violating the principles of international law is one of the main factors leading to the expansion of conflicts.

He made the remarks in the open discussions of the UN Security Council on "Protection of international peace and security: a new orientation for reformed multilateralism" in New York,US, on December 14, Caliber.Az reports citing, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

During the speech, he pointed out that it is important to fulfill the obligations of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs, which are the main principles for interstate relations.

The deputy minister emphasized that the organization's resolutions regarding Azerbaijan have not been implemented for 27 years. In those resolutions, it was mentioned that an immediate, complete and unconditional end to the occupation of Azerbaijan's sovereign territory was demanded. It was reported that hundreds of thousands of people were evicted from their lands in nearly 30 years, their rights were ignored and impunity occurred.

He mentioned that in response to the large-scale armed provocation of Armenia in September 2020, Azerbaijan was forced to launch a counter-offensive operation, as a result of which the territory of Azerbaijan was freed from occupation, and this operation was in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter and the relevant decisions of the Council.

The deputy minister noted that the Azerbaijani side extended a hand to Armenia for normalization after the conflict. He called on Armenia to stop its illegal activities, put an end to its territorial claims and focus on direct negotiations for a diplomatic solution.

Rzayev participated in a number of events and meetings in New York as part of his visit to the United States.

On December 15, 2022, Rzayev met with Miroslav Yencha, Assistant to the UN Secretary General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in New York.

Emphasizing that 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan's membership in the UN, the deputy minister noted that a number of events were held together with the Office of the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan.

The opposite side was also informed about the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, the large-scale restoration and construction work carried out in the territories of Azerbaijan freed from occupation, the steps taken by Azerbaijan in the direction of advancing the regional peace agenda, the provocations carried out by Armenia against these initiatives, including the ongoing mine threat in the Azerbaijani territories.

It was also emphasized at the meeting that with the end of the Armenia-Azerbaijani conflict, there is a favorable opportunity for the opening of economic and transport links in the region and for effective regional cooperation, and the Armenian side should stop its destructive actions that do not allow these opportunities to be fulfilled.

The parties emphasized that there is a positive experience of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN and that there are ample opportunities for expanding this cooperation in the regional new situation.

Rzayev took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the "Group of 77 and China" organization chaired by Pakistan on December 15, 2022 at the UN headquarters in New York.

In his speech, the deputy minister thanked the Foreign Minister of Pakistan for organizing the event and for the invitation. Touching on the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic for the states, Rzayev emphasized that the pandemic has caused damage to the economy, education and health sector, especially in developing countries, which are difficult to recover, and the only way out of this situation is through cooperation and solidarity.

Recalling the globally important initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan as the chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, Rzayev said that the post-pandemic global recovery process is also in Azerbaijan's attention as the chairman of the Movement.

In this regard, on March 2, 2023, at the initiative of the Azerbaijani President, a meeting of the Contact Group on the fight against Covid-19 of the Non-Aligned Movement will be held in the Summit format.

It was emphasized that the highest level of participation of the UN member states in the mentioned event will make a special contribution to the success of the process.

Within the Ministerial Meeting, Rzayev also met with the heads of the delegations of a number of states.