"We treat it from a realistic point of view and we understand that it will not be easy and you should do everything on time. After liberation, the wounds of the Azerbaijani people were not healed for all thirty years. But after liberation and after people started to visit these territories you know the regular bus trips to Shusha, to Aghdam and when they saw with their own eyes and when I first went there and saw my own eyes, it was a shock. We could not even imagine the level of hatred for people who did not do to you any harmful things," said President Ilham Aliyev as he made a speech at the international conference under the motto “South Caucasus: Development and Cooperation” held at ADA University, APA reports.
"Because we lived side-by-side in Shusha, Khankendi, and other places and never did anything that could be considered hostile. So, such a hatred, erasing cities, digging out dead bodies, all this is unbelievable. So it is imaginable if I felt that what could people who lost their beloved ones feel. I understand their pain, I share their pain, and I will never forget atrocities and barbarism. I will not be able to forget, and I do not want to forget. Because we need to remember, it is a part of our history, tragic history, at the same time we must remember and always be ready to defend ourselves. But at the same time, our peace agenda cannot be implemented without public support. We also understand that after the second Karabakh war Armenian society has wounds, it is understandable and if our wounds did not heal during thirty years we understand that their wounds will also be bleeding. This is a reality. But what to do? We need to take responsibility and the leaders, they are leading the countries also because of that, to take responsibility and to try to persuade your people that for our interest, for strategic future, we need peace. We need peace, We know the history of war, we know the history of the second world war, after ten-twenty years those who are killing each other started to do business and there are many examples of that. Whether will be ready as a society or not, I do not know. But I think you all also know that there is very special atmosphere in Azerbaijani society after the victory, there is unity, there is permanent connection what we do and how people react, and we consult with people on our plans. For instance reconstruction of the cities, master plans of Agdam and Fuzuli was approved with the participation of the famous representatives of this region. Because these people live there. Therefore, there is a pretty high level of trust in society in what we are doing. That was always the case, and after the victory, of course, much bigger. And I think Azerbaijani society will understand me when I talk about peace. It is not easy, I understand but we do not need another war and we must protect ourselves from any risks, of revenge from Armenia. Therefore, on one side we should not forget, on another side we should strengthen and modernize our army, and at the same time in parallel, we should prepare the society. My proposals to organize people-to-people contacts, NGOs, journalists, and intellectuals aimed at that. There must be bases for peace. It will take longer, but there is no alternative. The alternative is worse," said Azerbaijani President.
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