President Aliyev: Karabakh separatists have two options

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said that the Karabakh separatists should know that they have two choices: either live under the flag of Azerbaijan or leave.

“The separatists should also understand that they have two options: either they will live under the Azerbaijani flag or they will leave,” Aliyev said as he was interviewed by the Azerbaijan Television in the Salyan district on April 18, Azertac reports.

“We have chased Serjik Sargsyan, Robert Kocharian and Seyran Ohanyan, the main figures of the separatists, out of Karabakh like dogs and brought them to their knees. They came to Karabakh during the second Karabakh war supposedly to fight against us. All three ran away from our lands like rabbits. None of them can poke their nose into Khankendi or any other place now,” the head of state noted.

“We have repeatedly stated that we will not discuss our internal affairs with any country. Karabakh is our internal matter,” he added.

“Armenians living in Karabakh should either accept Azerbaijani citizenship or find another place to live. There is complete freedom in that, all democratic fundamentals have been offered. This issue should be resolved on the basis of human rights,” the head of state pointed out.

"The separatists, who are currently inventing some fictitious names for themselves – one calls himself a president, another calls himself a minister, another one calls himself a speaker of some parliament – this group of clowns must finally understand that they cannot play with our patience," the Azerbaijani president stressed.

“I am sure that the majority of the Armenian population currently living in Karabakh is ready to accept Azerbaijani citizenship. Simply put, these leeches, these predatory animals won’t let them do that. They won't let these people live comfortably, having kept them as hostages for 30 years. Therefore, my position is this. Let everyone hear it – both the Armenian leaders and the forces standing behind them today. No-one can influence our will. We have proven it – both during and after the war. If necessary, we will prove it again in any form,” the head of state added.