BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. Azerbaijani
parliament’s initiative group on the return to Western Azerbaijan
has released a statement on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinyan’s attempt to draw a parallel between the issue of Western
Azerbaijan (historical Azerbaijani lands in modern Armenia) and the
fictional concept of ‘Western Armenia’, Trend reports.
“Pashinyan’s attempts to draw a parallel between the issue of
Western Azerbaijan and the fabricated concept of ‘Western Armenia’
are unacceptable.
The issue of Western Azerbaijan is a human rights matter aimed
at ensuring the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of
Azerbaijanis, who were subjected to ethnic cleansing, to Armenia.
On the other hand, the expression ‘Western Armenia’ is a
territorial claim reflected in the Constitution and other
fundamental documents, as well as in the political steps taken by
Armenia.
At the very least, the prime minister has publicly questioned
the concept of ‘Western Armenia’ and made statements about ‘moving
from mythical to real Armenia,’ which are essentially steps that
should have been taken long ago. However, this should not come at
the expense of the rights of Western Azerbaijanis, who were victims
of ethnic cleansing, to return peacefully to their homes.
The comparison of our legitimate cause, which is based on human
rights, with a territorial claim is unacceptable. Let us remind
once again that the Western Azerbaijan Community, through repeated
appeals to the Armenian government, has suggested starting a
dialogue with full adherence to the norms and principles of
international law related to the return of Western Azerbaijanis,
including respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of
states. However, Armenia has ignored these calls, deliberately
distorting the activities of the community as a threat to its
territorial integrity.
Instead of making such misguided comparisons, Pashinyan should
respond to the community’s calls for dialogue, ensure the safe and
dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis, work toward the immediate
and unconditional removal of territorial claims against Azerbaijan
and other neighboring states from Armenia’s Constitution and other
documents, and put an end to the dangerous policy of
militarization,” the statement said.
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