Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee chairman meets Armenian Parliament speaker

Representatives of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly have met with Acting Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Hakob Arshakyan, Report informs. The Azerbaijani side was represented by MP, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Tahir Mirkishili.

Speaking about the Armenia-EU relations, Arshakyan also touched upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. He noted that the 44-day war led to human casualties and humanitarian problems, and that Armenian soldiers are in captivity in Azerbaijan.

Deputy Tahir Mirkishili, who was present at the meeting, noted that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is over, and that such a territorial unit doesn’t exist in Azerbaijan. He noted the importance of paying attention to the signing of a peace treaty and unblocking communications. Mirkishili noted that all the destruction and tragedies in the region occurred on the territory of Azerbaijan. More than 900 cities and villages were destroyed, including his native village, he added. The MP stressed that Azerbaijan has always respected the cultural heritage of all nations. Tahir Mirkishili also reminded that those detained in Azerbaijan are not prisoners of war, but criminals, whose guilt was proven by the court.

Commenting on the concern of the Armenian parliament speaker about the fate of the Armenians living in Karabakh, Tahir Mirkishili said that he probably meant Khankandi, stressing that the economic and social situation there is also of concern in Azerbaijan. The MP noted that the only true way is the soonest acceptance of Azerbaijani citizenship by the Armenians. Noting the importance of peace and development on the agenda of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the MP stressed the need for the parliaments of both countries to support the government and people in these matters.

The meeting participants also addressed issues discussed at the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.