Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry responds to Armenia

"We reject another unfounded, illegal and hostile statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, and strongly condemn the destructive position of the Armenian side at a time when the two countries have decided to take steps to normalize relations," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

By subjecting about 1 million Azerbaijanis to ethnic cleansing, Armenia grossly violated the fundamental rights of these people for nearly 30 years, committed numerous war crimes during the military aggression, including the brutal killing of 613 civilians overnight in Khojaly, the ministry said.

The Azerbaijani ministry stressed that Armenia bears the responsibility for the fate of those who went missing in the early 1990s and about 4,000 Azerbaijanis buried in mass graves.

"How can Armenia, which has evaded responsibility for its numerous crimes, speak of mass murder and ethnic cleansing?!"

"This statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, which promotes separatism in Azerbaijan, interferes in the internal affairs of another state in violation of international law, and undermines peace-building efforts in the region, demonstrates that the real intention of the opposite side is not normalization and peaceful coexistence. Regardless of Armenia's choice, Azerbaijan will continue to move toward development and progress within its international borders following its obligations and international law," the ministry said.

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