Baku: "One of the main elements that unite Azerbaijan and Ukraine is loyalty to the principle of territorial integrity," Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, told Vesti.az.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Yushchenko emphasized that the inviolability of territorial integrity is the cornerstone of the modern international security system, marking it as the principal aspect of the international security concept. He asserted that territorial claims are often the root of conflicts, while other issues can be addressed through diplomatic means.

Yushchenko highlighted that the experiences of Azerbaijan and Ukraine are significant not only for their respective countries but also for the broader international community. He underscored the importance of adhering to the principle of inviolable borders established after the Second World War, a key lesson he believes both Azerbaijan and Ukraine are imparting to the world, particularly through their alignment with the United Nations.

"The borders that emerged after the Second World War are inviolable," Yushchenko stated, adding that while Azerbaijan has resolved its territorial issues, Ukraine is nearing a resolution. He reflected on the potential prevention of the current conflict at the 2008 NATO summit, where both Ukraine and Georgia were not accepted as members, a decision he linked to Russian interests.

Yushchenko criticized the decision not to admit Georgia and Ukraine into NATO at the Bucharest summit as a significant political misstep, noting the connection between this decision and the subsequent war in Georgia.