Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has expressed readiness to take steps “in the direction of building trust” with Armenia.
“Of course, we don’t imagine how we would immediately become friends with Armenia, that would be unrealistic,” Azerbaijani media quoted Aliyev as saying at an international forum in Baku.
“It is even too early to speak about any economic integration, but we are ready to start some steps in the direction of building trust,” he added.
Aliyev said that Georgia recently conveyed proposals about trust building initiatives between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which Baku has endorsed. “We have given a positive response and we are waiting for the Armenian side’s stance. If everything is successful then some small steps could be made,” Aliyev stated.
He said there would be no obstacles for cooperation after the peace deal is signed.
But the Azerbaijani leader reiterated his precondition of constitutional amendments in Armenia, a narrative based on false claims, stating that the “ball is in Armenia’s court.”
