Ilham Aliyev optimistic

On November 17 at a meeting with Karabakh IDPs President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated that there are two ways out of the current situation, either peace or war. Since 1992 negotiations have been taking place and although they are moving very slowly there is a certain progress. Currently they are discussing Armenia withdrawing its troops from all the Azeri regions it has occupied and allowing Azeri refugees to return to Karabakh.

Ilham Aliyev also stated that the Armenian side has decided to while away time and use this time to settle Armenian people in Karabakh. He said that at some point Armenian forces will become unable to control the established border with Azerbaijan, as Azerbaijan is gaining strength and improving its demographic situation. The population is increasing as a faster rate than Armenia’s and today the Azeri economy is 7 times bigger than Armenia’s while in a couple of years it will be 13-15 times bigger.

The Azeri President stated that Armenia is isolated from international projects, all its borders except one are practically sealed and under these conditions the continued existence of the country is under question. He expressed his confidence that no country can survive on foreign financial support alone, in particular a country which has problems with its neighbour. The gap between Armenia and Azerbaijan is increasing, but despite this Azerbaijan still prefers the way of negotiation.