From Viktor Yushchenko, former President of Ukraine, member of Nizami Ganjavi International Center

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President, dear Ilham

I have recently been to your beautiful country and again witnessed well-known hospitality of the people of Azerbaijan. Today, however, I am excitedly observing the development of events in the Nagorno-Karabakh. Frozen until recently, the conflict is entering a hot phase in front of our eyes.

Mr. President, let me express my heartfelt support for you and your people at this difficult time. I condemn the actions of Armenia, which has instigated the conflict. I have always supported and defended the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan both during my presidency and now.

We also know that the development of events today depends not only on power and strong unity of the Azerbaijani people and army, but also on the exact position of other countries. Unfortunately, current conflicts in Ukraine and Azerbaijan have many similar features and similar results. My stance on the events taking place in Ukraine and Azerbaijan remains unchanged. Soldiers and civilians are being killed and our countries are losing control over their territories. This is accompanied by an unprecedented impudent propaganda misleading the world as if these conflicts are regional and domestic ones.

Mr. President, I believe that our countries will soon get an opportunity to retake control of their borders and restore the peaceful way of life in the territories temporarily occupied by our enemies.

I wish our countries peace, solidarity, wisdom and power in this difficult period.

Yours sincerely,

Viktor Yushchenko

President of Ukraine (2005-2010)

Member of Nizami Ganjavi International Center