Aliyev criticized the Minsk intermediaries, calling them intruders

ArmInfo.President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev criticized the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group from France Stefan Visconti and the United States, Andrew  Shofer. The meeting was also attended by Russian Ambassador to  Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov and Personal Representative of the  OSCE Representative, Andrzej Kasprzyk. At the meeting, APA reports  that Aliyev pointed to fundamental changes in the situation in the  region, including against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Along with this, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has  changed the situation in the region.  A completely new situation has  now emerged in the region. Azerbaijan settled the conflict, which  lasted for about 30 years, achieved this by force and political  means. I agree with President Putin, one of the heads of the  co-chairing states, that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has already  become history. I think the same.  Unfortunately, the Minsk Group did  not play any role in the settlement of the conflict. Although for  this the Minsk Group had a corresponding mandate for 28 years.  However, as I said during the war, although the Minsk Group had some  activity in the direction of promoting ideas and manifesting  creativity, this did not give any result. This is the reality, "the  Azerbaijani dictator said, stressing that they" forced Armenia to  surrender ". At the same time, Aliyev accused the current Prime  Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan of destroying the  peace process and trying to destroy the format of the negotiation  process. "I said that we would stop as soon as Pashinyan personally,  and not some of his ministers, would tell us the date of leaving our  lands. In the end, it happened, and I, as always, kept my word.  Pashinyan has never been true to his word either in front of me or in  front of his people. He continues to lie now. But this has nothing to  do with Azerbaijan. This already concerns the internal policy of  Armenia. On the night of November 9-10, as soon as he signed the  Statement, we immediately stopped, "Aliyev said, assuring that they  have no species on the territory of Armenia. Accusing the OSCE Minsk  Group co-chairs of inaction, Aliyev boasted that he had proved that  the conflict could be resolved by military means. "Armenia was forced  to sign the act of surrender. They would never sign it voluntarily.  We made them, not the Minsk group! We and President Putin. This is  reality. If not for the intervention and efforts of President Putin,  the situation today would probably be different. At present, Russian  peacekeepers are stationed there, they have begun to work. The  situation is somewhat stable. Russia is currently conducting  peacekeeping operations. And Armenia and Azerbaijan supported this.

At the same time, as you know, we are already at the stage of  creating a Monitoring Center in the Agdam region. This issue was  reflected in the Statement we signed on November 10. The  Turkish-Russian Monitoring Center will monitor compliance with the  ceasefire. I think this is a very good manifestation of regional  cooperation. It is also a symbol of very acceptable cooperation  between Turkey and Russia. This is already a reality, "the  Azerbaijani leader added.

<This concludes my words in order to listen to you, because the idea  to come here was yours. I can say that one more time in front of the  cameras. I did not invite the Minsk Group to visit. But when I was  informed that the Minsk group wants to come, I said: let them come, I  don't mind. Maybe they have something to tell me. If you want to say  that on camera, then please. If you don't want to, I'll tell them to  leave. As you want>, - said Aliyev. In turn, Stefan Visconti noted  during his speech that he once participated in the meeting of Heydar  Aliyev with President Chirac in Paris. "You just noted that over the  past 28 years, the co-chair countries have tried to fulfill their  mandate as best they could. On the basis of this mandate, they were  supposed to create conditions for the settlement of the issue between  the two sides. I highly appreciate your interesting suggestions. We  will work on this and, as mediators, will try to find an option that  meets the will of the parties. My government welcomed the ceasefire  that ended the carnage. We are very positive about all the provisions  of the agreement reached on the night of November 9-10. We are  mastering a new agenda for the course of events. As you noted, a  completely new situation has emerged to bring stability and  prosperity to the region in an impartial and collective form. As for  the work of the Minsk Group on all other issues, it will completely  depend on you. Yes, there is a good basis for this. We are in a  transitional phase and plans can be made for the future. Of course, I  will report the thoughts that you have just voiced openly to my  government. Of course, our stay in Baku, as I understand it, was on  the basis of an invitation. If there was no invitation, I would not  have come. Perhaps, during the organization of this mission, the  correspondence was unclear. But I want to thank you for accepting us.  I will bring your words in due order to my president and our  government, "Visconti said.

In turn, Andrew Shofer expressed his gratitude for the fact that you  very clearly expressed your position and promised to convey it to  your governments. "As for your words and your open statement, we  understand that a new situation has now emerged. We all understand  and recognize that now we have a new reality. I believe that the main  reason for talking with you is to better understand your position.  You have stated this position, and after a while we will discuss in  detail how events will develop in the future.  Currently, the current  situation is different. I would like to know how you see the future  in general? In particular, the Madrid Principles talk about opening  lines and communications, establishing relations, creating a positive  environment for all peoples in the region. If this is part of your  position, then I think that we and our countries can play a role in  achieving this. We would like to hear from you, what steps do you  intend to take in the future? As you know, after that we will go to  Yerevan and hold the same conversation with the other side. We will  have more detailed discussions, "the American mediator concluded.  Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov noted that  Russia is a party to the reached trilateral agreement, it attaches  special importance to the implementation of the provisions of this  Statement. "I believe that there is still work to be done to fully  implement this document. This, as you have already said, Mr.  President, concerns the return of people, that is, internally  displaced persons to their places, the peaceful reconstruction of the  region. Of course, this, as you described, implies the peaceful and  successful development of the region in peace. As for the Minsk  Group, our government has always noted the importance of this group.  Therefore, we participated and today we are participating in it. I  believe that the group's joint position was recently expressed by the  heads of delegations of the Minsk Group co-chairing countries in a  statement on December 3. This document expresses a general attitude,  and we would be very happy to provide assistance in any area,  including, as you said today, Mr. President, in carrying out  reconstruction work. Thank you,> the diplomat summed up.