Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh considers data on number of Armenian community oversized

"I do not believe that the number of the Armenian community is more than Azerbaijani. A while ago, a group of public figures paid a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh. They held meeting there. The general opinion says that the data on the Armenian population of the Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh is absolutely far from reality," Chairman of the Public Association Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan Republic Bayram Safarov said in his interview with the official Web site of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party.

Safarov said the number of Armenians in Shusha is 1,000 people at most.

"After the conflict, the majority of Armenians left Karabakh. If not take into account those who have moved there later, the number of the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh is not so high. The life standards are very low there. The Armenian leadership has brought many troubles to these people as well. Because of the Armenian policy, the many of them were forced to leave to work abroad," he said.

At present, the number of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh tops 65,000 people, said Safarov.

"We try to prepare a list of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh and specify the population. Of course, this is complicated process. For example, population of the Shusha region have settled in 59 regions of Azerbaijan. This is the same with a list of residents of the other regions. Despite this, we will try to meet that challenge," said Safarov.

As to joint living with the Armenians in the event of a peace treaty, Safarov said that "to live together with the Armenians is our fate."

"Yes, we suffered great losses due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and faced with serious accident. Despite this, living side by side with the Armenians is our fate, destiny. I think time will put everything in its place. Ordinary citizens would not support this war. So stay with our citizens of Armenian origin is possible. Of course, when the conflict is resolved peacefully, the Azerbaijani laws will be applied to the region and all citizens will obey them," said the head of the community.

/Trend News/