Aliyev says Azeri troops not leaving because they are on Azeri lands

During his visit to the occupied Karvachar and Kashatagh regions of Artsakh, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Baku is carrying out intensive work on strengthening the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. “Currently, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan and the border troops are establishing the necessary border infrastructure and military units along the entire length of the border, from Mrav to the Araks River. We are strengthening those borders,” Aliyev said, adding they are especially working on the strengthening the Zangezur section. He also said the Azerbaijani troops, which have been in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia since May 12, in Syunik and Gegharkunik regions, will not leave.

“This border was under the control of Armenians for 30 years. After the snow melted in May, we approached our borders and occupied our positions, settled in Zangezur and fortified there,” Aliyev said. He again voiced territorial claims to Armenia and at the same time admitted that the Azerbaijani army had entered the territory of Armenia illegally.

“It is our land. The claims voiced by Armenia are completely groundless. We are on our land, Lake Sev is ours, the other territories are ours. We are back. If the border crosses where the Armenians say, why didn’t they stay there? When we arrived and stayed, they said we were in the wrong place. We are standing where we think we should. We will stand where we see fit,” he said.