Azerbaijani MFA: Armenia must understand that attempts to make territorial gains by force ‘unacceptable’

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Armenia must understand that attempts to change the internationally recognized borders of states and make territorial gains by force are unacceptable and can in no way be considered legitimate, Hikmat Hajiyev, spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told APA on Tuesday.

He was commenting on the statement made by Vice-Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Edward Sharmazanov during a meeting with a Latvian delegation.

“Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan seems to be faced with a new rival, the Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Edward Sharmazanov. But from the point of view of illogicality and indifference, their statements are the same,” the spokesman said.

Before speaking on behalf of the European Union, Sharmazanov had better familiarize himself with EU documents, Hajiyev stressed.

“The joint declaration of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit held in Brussels reiterated support for the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of all the EaP countries. The declaration states that the European Union remains committed to supporting the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of all its partners. The statement also makes references to the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris (1990) and the EU Global Strategy,” he said.

According to Hajiyev, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, the inviolability of borders in the EU Global Strategy are the key elements of the European security order.

“These principles apply to all EU member states and all other states beyond the EU’s borders (The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, the inviolability of borders, and the peaceful settlement of disputes are the key elements of the European security order. These principles apply to all states, both within and beyond the EU’s borders),” he added.

Hajiyev also said that the resolution “On EU’s foreign and security policy”, passed by the European Parliament on December 13, 2017, affirms the European Parliament’s commitment to supporting the territorial integrity of the EaP countries within their internationally recognized borders.

“It is no coincidence that territorial integrity, sovereignty and border inviolability are the basic principles for Europe, which has suffered from World War II and fascist invasion,” he said.

“Armenia must understand that attempts to change the internationally recognized borders of states and make territorial gains by force are unacceptable and can in no way be considered legitimate,” added Hajiyev.