At least, if France is so eagerly supplying Armenia with high-tech air defense systems, very expensive radar installations, Bastion armored vehicles, and, according to French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, plans to export short, medium, and long-range missiles to Armenia in the future, it indicates that Armenia is capable of affording these purchases. Therefore, it raises a reasonable question: Should Azerbaijan demand Armenia to pay reparations for the horrendous destruction inflicted upon our country during the 30-year occupation of more than 20% of its territories?
Minval.az requested comments from Eldar Namazov, Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on this matter.
The fact that Armenia continues to arm itself is certainly concerning…
Of course, it is. Recent days are filled with reports about Armenia’s plans for a significant rearmament with the help of France, India, and several other countries. Azerbaijan’s military response, I am sure, will not be long in coming. And it will be, as has been the case so far, swift and comprehensive.
Isn’t it time to raise the issue of reparations from Armenia to Azerbaijan?
After nearly 30 years of occupation and the complete destruction of hundreds of Azerbaijani towns and villages, the question of reparations that the aggressor must pay to rebuild the destroyed industrial and residential facilities and compensate for the colossal damage inflicted on Azerbaijan was on the agenda.
The legal aspect of the issue is clear, both in terms of international conventions and the signature of the Prime Minister of Armenia on the Trilateral Statement, where he acknowledged the fact of aggression and committed to withdrawing Armenian forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories.
If the legal aspect fully supports the need for Armenia to pay reparations, why hasn’t Azerbaijan pursued this until now?
The fact is that many Western countries, immediately after the conflict ended, urged us to show mercy and compassion towards the Armenian side, which was in shock from the defeat, taking into account its very weak financial and economic capabilities. However, Armenia’s extensive and costly rearmament campaign eliminates all questions in this direction. Armenia has, of course, the right to military construction. But only after it has paid reparations to Azerbaijan, which, by the most conservative estimates, amount to hundreds of billions of dollars.
Should the issue of reparations be included in the peace treaty being discussed with Armenia?
You are absolutely right, and I am convinced that this issue should be one of the main provisions of the peace treaty under discussion. Without resolving this, trust between the parties cannot be restored, nor can other post-conflict resolution issues be addressed. I am confident that the Azerbaijani side will soon take the necessary steps to restore justice in this matter.
Rauf Nasirov
Translated from minval.az