Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijani ruling party slams Minsk Group co-chairs

"The Khojaly genocide perpetrated by Armenian bandits is one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century. It is a non-healing wound in hearts. The two nations are told to gain confidence, but in what way?" the deputy chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), former Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov said.

"Our people have trusted Armenians for a long time, and they lived among us. It is they who occupied our lands and caused an incurable wound to us. Therefore, they, not us, should try to win the trust! Even if they manage to gain confidence, the Khojaly wound will never heal. The only way to mitigate it is, first, to put an end to the occupation policy, to liberate our lands and achieve the return of the displaced people to their homes, then to demand compensation for the political, economic, and moral damage caused by Armenians.

"For that reason, the OSCE Minsk Group must achieve the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, instead of making meaningless proposals. Not only the Minsk Group members, even children, are aware of these realities. It is hard to forget that fact. The bitter truth is that 25 children lost both parents as a result of the Khojaly genocide, and grew up in protection of their relatives. Over 600 adults, women, and children were brutally killed overnight; their bodies desecrated," he said.

"The Minsk Group would better discuss such problems, ways to reduce hatred towards the Armenian separatists and their people, not with us but with Armenians. They should inform the world community about it, instead of expecting us to trust Armenians," Hasanov said.