Discussions on the occasion of the second anniversary of the signing the statement on November 10, 2020 by the presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and the Prime Minister of Armenia were held on Thursday at the initiative of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party (ADWP). Discussions were held under the leitmotif: "Losses/gains and a look into the future" and on the basis of the 8-point Assessment Paper presented by the ADWP.
Political observer Azer Gasimli, who entered the main report, said that the Statement of November 10, 2020 has a number of flaws that are contrary to the interests of Azerbaijan. For example, the most contradictory of the Constitution and defense doctrine is the presence of foreign troops, which are peacekeeping forces.
The Assessment Document states that, contrary to the requirements of Articles 12 and 14 of the Constitutional Act on State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as Article 11 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Russian army controls about 475 square kilometers of the territory of Azerbaijan.
In this regard, the ADWP called on the government to start negotiations with Russia on the withdrawal of "peacekeeping" forces in accordance with the established schedule, as well as to demand the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Karabakh by November 30.
Further, it is proposed to develop programs for the integration of Karabakh into Azerbaijan, with the consolidation of the rights and security of the local population in this document. It is also proposed to adopt a plan for the return of internally displaced persons to Karabakh in stages and specific time frames, "at the initial stage, to carry out the settlement of the border regions and the city of Shusha.
The document is also suggested:
- to carry out restoration and reconstruction works in Karabakh on state orders, openly and through competitive tenders.
- approve the city of Khankendi and other territories as an administrative and fiscal (budgetary) subject of Azerbaijan.
- ensure passport control of persons visiting the territory through the border checkpoint and customs control points of Azerbaijan when entering and leaving Armenia in the Lachin corridor, control over imported goods in accordance with customs procedures.
- Restore the transport and communication line providing communication with Nakhchivan through Zangezur.
The ADWP notes that "the main goal of the activities of the Russian military contingent was not "peacekeeping", but the creation of conditions for a longer stay in Karabakh and the preservation of Russia's long-term control over the region in the context of stimulating conflicts and contradictions in the region."
In conclusion, the ADWP called for the start of a real process of developing the signing of a peace treaty through direct negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the recognition of each other's territorial integrity by the countries. During the discussions, the opinions of representatives of the expert community and political parties were heard.
The Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party was formed mainly on the basis of the ADR movement, founded on February 21, 2015, and was proclaimed at the founding congress on October 17, 2021. The slogans of the party are the State of Law, Liberal Economy, Free and Prosperous Life.