Sodiq Safoyev: We welcome Azerbaijan’s determination to restore its territorial integrity

Sodiq Safoyev, the first deputy chairman of the Senate, noted that Uzbekistan welcomes Azerbaijan's determination to restore its territorial integrity.

“We are pleased with the achievements of Azerbaijan in all areas and support it on this matter. We welcome the determination of the government and people of this country to protect its territorial integrity, despite all difficulties,” Safoyev said. “I am confident that Azerbaijan will soon turn Karabakh into one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Shusha will open its doors to welcome guests from all over the globe.”

Earlier, at the beginning of September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan made a statement regarding the elections held in Karabakh.

“Uzbekistan firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, condemns any interference in its internal affairs, and does not recognize the presidential elections held in Karabakh on September 9, 2023,” the statement said.

For information, yesterday, September 19, Azerbaijan started local anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh.

The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that the presence of Armenian armed forces in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan is a source of threat to peace and stability in the region, violating the provisions of the Trilateral Declaration signed on November 10, 2020.

Today, on September 20, the authorities of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic announced that an agreement was reached on a complete ceasefire at 13:00 local time (14:00 Tashkent time).

As part of the agreement, the remaining Armenian military in Nagorno-Karabakh will be withdrawn from the "zone of Russian peacekeeping contingent" in the region, the armed units of the unrecognized republic will be disbanded and heavy equipment will be removed.

On September 21, a meeting between representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and representatives of the government of Azerbaijan is planned to be held in Yevlakh.