Hikmat Hajiyev: Azerbaijan offers integrated model of South Caucasus

Azerbaijan has proposed an integrated model of the South Caucasus. The region is currently very fragmented, so it is necessary to build more connections, more contacts between people, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said at the opening of the conference of think tanks “South Caucasus: Development and Cooperation” in Azerbaijan’s Shusha city, Report informs.

“We are ready for this, now it’s up to Armenia to decide,” Hajiyev said. He noted that the main message of Azerbaijan to Armenia is the recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty: “Is Armenia ready for this? We are ready.”

He also noted the importance of resolving the issue of delimitation and demarcation of borders between the two countries. “We are already receiving certain signals that this process will begin in the near future,” Hajiyev added.

Another important point in the negotiations is the opening of communications. “The middle corridor is of particular importance in the new realities. Can Armenia be part of this? Definitely yes. But we cannot wait for Armenia to make a decision, so Azerbaijan held talks with Iran and agreed on the possibility of building a parallel transport route,” the presidential aide said.

Hajiyev also reminded that Azerbaijan also proposed the development of a regional 3+3 format.

As for the Armenian population of Karabakh, Azerbaijan considers them to be its citizens, he said.

“We consider the residents of Khankendi as Azerbaijani citizens. In Azerbaijan, all religions are respected, all religious temples are preserved, while during the years of occupation, hundreds of mosques were destroyed or used for other purposes,” he said.