President Ilham Aliyev made some fundamental theses on the realities of the post-war period at an international conference held at ADA University, Political scientist Elman Nasirov, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee for International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Connexions, told Report.
He reminded that one of these theses was related to the question of which maps to refer to the demarcation of the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan:
"The President noted that history must be taken into account in any case in these matters. You can't refer to one map here. Several maps should be used here. In particular, he stated that history should be considered from the point of view that, for example, there is a map of 1918, in which Yerevan is an integral part of Azerbaijan. There is a map of 1920 that shows Zangazur as an integral part of Azerbaijan. At the same time, Azerbaijanis lived in the border areas between Iran and Armenia. In 1918, Yerevan and in November 1920, Zangazur were ceded to Armenia. Ilham Aliyev paid special attention to the issue of Zangazur. When this territory was transferred to Armenia, it did not have today's size - 42 km, but was narrower. Armenians later expanded it making use of the opportunity. Thus, the map was artificially altered."
"Therefore, the President reiterated that we must first refer to the maps of the post-Soviet period in the South Caucasus. But at the same time, there are maps from Tsarist Russia that should be involved in the process of demarcation. Thus, historical truth and reality must have a say in defining boundaries. For this, of course, numerous maps will be referred. Truth and justice will prevail," the MP stressed.