YEREVAN (Azertag/Yerkir)–Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said on Tuesday that his country would not cede any part of its territory–referring to the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. He was speaking at a dedication ceremony in the central square in the town of Yevlakh–Azerbaijan–which will bear the name of his father–former president Heydar Aliyev.
Reviewing the senior Aliyev’s accomplishmen’s in the past decades–Aliyev said that Azerbaijan looks to the future with confidence. "The country will develop and become stronger."
He called the Karabagh conflict the country’s most "crucial problem," but said it would be resolved because–"Our cause is fair. We support justice–want to restore the territorial integrity of our country."
Aliyev promised Azerbaijan would try to reach a peaceful settlement within the framework of international law–but would use any means to liberate its territories if peaceful attempts fail.
"We should be prepared for any possibilities. We have no claims on territories of others and will not cede an inch of Azerbaijani land to others. We shall liberate the occupied territories peacefully. Should it not be possible–we shall do it by any means."
While in Yevlakh–Aliyev toured the construction site of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline passing through that region.