Armenia should recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan – Aliyev

Baku is ready for trade relations with Yerevan but for it Azerbaijan and Armenia must recognize each other’s borders, Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev stated today at “The South Caucasus: Perspectives of Regional Development and Cooperation” conference.

“We are ready to free trade between the countries of the South Caucasus, including Armenia. But for it we need reciprocal recognition of the borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia. On our part, we are ready to recognize Armenia’s borders. But Armenia too must recognize Azerbaijan’s borders, including recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. So, we are waiting actions from the Armenian side,” Aliyev said.

He noted that 30,000 Armenians are living in the territories of Karabakh that are currently under control of the Russian peacekeepers.

“We consider them citizens of Azerbaijan,” he said.