Ali Hasanov: Ethnic separatism is not to be played with

Brussels, November 20, AZERTAC "Initiated by Azerbaijan, this International Forum will support the struggle of nations and states whose territorial integrity has been violated, and whose population has been expelled from their homelands," the Azerbaijani President's Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov has told journalists as he attended the international forum under the motto "The threat of separatism to international peace and security" in Brussels, Belgium. "For many years we have warned Europe and the world that ethnic separatism is not to be played with. If you do, it ultimately leads to conflicts between peoples and states, causes bloody confrontations, and people suffer as a result. For many years, Azerbaijan has experienced every face of this pain – displacement, its peoples' becoming refugees and internally dislaced persons, and the killing of thousands of its people, and even its peoples' remaining homeless," the President's Assistant said. 'Now, after Europe has seen the bitter consequences of this threat playing with ethnic separatism, it supported our right voice. Today's forum is an obvious confirmation of this. Spain's territorial integrity is its national right, the national law of the state and can not be violated by anyone. This is one of the fundamental principles of international law. I think that as the EU demonstrates unanimous support for the territorial integrity of Spain, it will also adequately react to ethnic separatism which takes place in the lives of other nations, and will continue to recognize Azerbaijan's territorial integrity as it has done so far. However, the issue cannot be considered finished with recognition of the territorial integrity. We believe that the European Union will take tougher measures against Armenia, which violated the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and occupied its lands, and will demonstrate a serious public condemn of the aggressor country," Ali Hasanov added. Vugar Seyidov Special Correspondent