Bringing the truth about the Khojaly tragedy is a priority for Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb.21 / Trend S.Agayeva, E.Tariverdiyeva/ Bringing the truth about the Khojaly tragedy is a priority for all diplomats, who represent the country abroad, spokesman of Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry Elman Abdullayev told Trend. "This issue is so important and so fundamental, that it will always be on the agenda not only at the level of diplomatic missions, but also on the level of individual meetings. Of course, there is a very positive trend; this tragedy has been recognized at the level of legislative bodies of Mexico and Pakistan as well as state legislatures of Texas and New Jersey, which have adopted the relevant resolutions on the subject. It is positive of course, but I think we should more actively and dynamically work in this direction," Abdullayev said. Abdullayev noted that the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions on the eve of the anniversary of the Khojaly events begin to hold a mass media campaign, dedicated to this event, held a number of activities with the academic community and socio-political and non-governmental organizations each year. "The Diaspora organizations also join us in this regard. It is a national issue, it is a tragedy for every Azerbaijani, so it should be conveyed to the masses and publicized more actively," Abdullayev said. A separate work with each member of the legislative body of all countries will be held, Abdullayev said. The recognition of Khojaly genocide by the legislative bodies of Mexico and Pakistan is the result of this work, Abdullayev said. The fact that the legislature of Mexico in Latin America region adopted this resolution is a positive step in bringing the reality about Azerbaijan to the international community, Abdullayev added. "We need to promote this work in the region and in Muslim countries, which are always talking about their solidarity with Azerbaijan. This question will always be a priority for us," Abdullayev said. Armenian armed forces with the help of the 366th motor-rifling regiment occupied Azerbaijan's Khojaly city and committed genocide, killing hundreds of innocent people because of their ethnic background on February 26, 1992. As a result, 613 people were savagely killed, 487 were injured, and 1,275 people were taken into hostage. The fates of many of them are still unknown. After the 366th motor-rifling regiment's withdrawal from Khankendi, a major part of the military equipment owned by this military unit was transferred to the Armenian separatists. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az