16:38 - 29.09.2020

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September 29, Fineko/abc.az. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called President Ilham Aliyev.

ABC.AZ reports that Merkel expressed concern about the armed conflict on the line of contact between Armenia and Azerbaijan and asked about the course of events.

President Aliyev informed Merkel that on 27 September the Armenian armed forces fired heavy artillery at the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces and settlements on the contact line, resulting in the death of civilians and military personnel. The Azerbaijani side is conducting successful counter-offensive operations in self-defense. In two days, 10 civilians were killed, including two children, and 29 civilians were wounded. In addition, 150 residential buildings were destroyed.

The Azerbaijani side launched a counter-offensive. The head of state noted that earlier in July and August Armenia committed military provocations against our country, which resulted in the death of our military and civilians. President Aliyev underlined that those provocations are a continuation of Armenia's aggressive policy against Azerbaijan. The head of state also noted that the Armenian Defence Minister declared that Armenia would start a new war against Azerbaijan for new territories, and this plan was being implemented.

The head of state stressed that the responsibility for the further development of events related to the military provocation of Armenia lies with the political and military leadership of Armenia, the Azerbaijani army is fighting on its own land, and the Armenian army should not be located on Azerbaijani lands.

President Ilham Aliyev added that Armenia is illegally resettling foreign citizens to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan from other countries, which is a serious violation of international law in accordance with the Geneva Convention and is considered a war crime.