Baku: “We never wanted war. For 17 years I held talks with the leaders of Armenia, trying to convince them that if they did not vacate our lands voluntarily, war would be inevitable,” said President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with residents of the Badara, Dashbulag, Seyidbeyli, and Shushakand villages in the Khojaly district.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev expressed that Armenia misjudged the situation by relying on support from larger powers. He emphasized that despite receiving weapons, money, and political backing, those powers could not protect Armenia indefinitely. He reiterated his appeals for Armenia to voluntarily vacate Azerbaijani lands and highlighted that even after the Second Karabakh War, he urged for peaceful coexistence under Azerbaijani laws.

The president pointed out that the continuation of military and political provocations by Armenia led to the September 19-20 anti-terror operation, which he described as a significant lesson. He stated that the operation, which lasted only a few hours, effectively dismantled separatist forces, with no resistance from the international supporters of Armenia. President Aliyev assured that Azerbaijan’s stance is justified, and despite the destruction of their cities and villages, the country is committed to rebuilding and progressing.