"We have been represented in the international arena, both in the sports and political arenas, for many years - for almost 30 years, as a defeated country," President Ilham Aliyev said while receiving participants of the 7th European Under-23 Wrestling Championship on March 17, Report informs.
"The harder it is to admit it, the simpler it is. That is, we must know and tell the truth as it is," the head of state said.
"Yes, there were reasons for this defeat, the betrayal of the then anti-national government, the lack of an army, foreign aid to Armenia - all these factors. These factors led to the defeat. But the truth was that our lands were under occupation, and we had to prove that. We will liberate our lands from the occupiers at any cost, and we have done so. If we can defeat the athletes representing the enemy in sports competitions, we will definitely win on the battlefield. That's what happened," he said.