Elchin Amirbayov: Azerbaijan is ready to engage Armenia in all sorts of economic projects

Azerbaijan is ready to engage Armenia in all sorts of economic projects, Elchin Amirbayov, the Assistant to the First Vice President of Azerbaijan, said in an interview with Deaglán de Bréadún, published in Irish News.

"This could serve as a confidence-building measure and as a guarantee that this conflict will not repeat itself in the future," Amirbayov said.

He noted that now today when Azerbaijan liberated the territories which were under foreign occupation for almost three decades, it believes that there is a unique opportunity for peace with Armenians.

But he said that this approach was not shared by Armenia and that some members of its political elite were seeking a renewal of conflict as revenge for the defeat suffered in 2020.

Charles Michel hosted four summit meetings on behalf of the EU between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, but a couple of months ago, Armenia openly rejected mediation by Brussels.

As for the Lachin road, Amirbayov said there was unimpeded access for emergency purposes and foodstuffs and he added: "What we do not agree to be transported through this road is weapons, landmines and military personnel, because this basically runs counter to the whole philosophy of seeking peace."

Amirbayov added that the Lachin road was being used by Armenia for all sorts of military purposes over the last two years, including the transportation of landmines and weapons as well as military personnel to rotate their still-remaining 10,000 troops that are still in Karabakh.

"Armenia is basically preparing for another war," he said.

Asked about Azerbaijan’s stance on the war in Ukraine, he said: "We, from day number one, reiterated our unconditional support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty and inviolability of borders of Ukraine."