E. Mammadyarov: “Such incidents may happen”
"The recent incident at the line of contact is first of all a notification to the whole world that the conflict is not frozen," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov announced in Baku while speaking about the attack of June 18.
The Minister says first of all the territories must be released from occupation for Azerbaijan to give up military rhetoric.
"The co-chairs call not to give a chance to war. But for this, Armenian armed forces must be withdrawn from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. The sooner the process begins, the better it will be for all sides. The present status-quo does not satisfy anybody," he said.
"As long as the territories are under occupation, no peace no war situation lasts, such incidents may happen," the Azerbaijani FM added.
"Armenia wants to sign an agreement with Azerbaijan on non-use of force. But force has already been used, its consequences must be eliminated. The sooner the Armenian side channels into the constructive negotiations, the better it will be. There are opportunities for this," he said.
To the question on returning the body of Azerbaijani soldier killed during the shootout on the contact line, Mammadyarov said that this would be realized by the International Red Cross Organization.
Nevertheless, Mammadyarov believes that the Karabakh conflict can be solved in a diplomatic way.
Speaking about the updated Madrid Principles, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said the document makes good opportunities for achievement of a big peace agreement.
"Azerbaijan has commented on this document.
Unfortunately, Armenia has given neither negative nor positive reply to this proposal. It is very difficult to work in such situation," Mammadyarov said.
Note that Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has made a bellicose statement saying Azerbaijan is going to restore its territorial wholeness which is priority for official Baku.
