Azerbaijani deputy FM: Road passing through Lachin is of great importance for Azerbaijan

"The subject of the upcoming negotiations is known. Some of the topics will be discussed more closely and they would be attached more attention. Some may be left for discussions at a later stage,” Azimov said noting that the situation in the negotiation process was not an easy.

The diplomat said the settlement involves a chain of successive steps: the liberation of all occupied areas of Armenia, return of Azerbaijani refugees, ensuring normal coexistence of Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno-Karabakh, and to determine status of the region.

 "It is impossible to reverse or change this logic,” Azimov said noting that such attempts by the Armenian side cause bewilderment in Azerbaijan.

"The expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Nagorno-Karabakh was a result of ethnic cleansing, without elimination of consequences of which it is impossible to determine status of the region,” he said.

He said in regional terms the solution to the Karabakh conflict is very important.

"The unresolved conflict has caused great damage to the development of the region, but despite this, Azerbaijan could reach greater heights in its economic development. Thus, in my opinion, the Armenian leadership should take into account and examine all these factors,”Azimov said.

He said the Lachin region, through which the road connecting Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia lies, is as indisputable Azerbaijani territory, as other areas of the country.

"The road passing through the Lachin is of great importance for Azerbaijan today and tomorrow. And if Armenia behaves in an appropriate way, the significance of this road may go to the regional level. This road can benefit countries in the region,” he said.

Explaining the possible regional significance of this road, the diplomat said it is possible that it will link Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey through the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.

/Interfax Azerbaijan/