YEREVAN – The Western Azerbaijan Community has issued a statement responding to remarks made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Yerevan. The statement, released to APA, refutes Pashinyan’s claims about Azerbaijan’s intentions and clarifies the use of the term “Western Azerbaijan.”

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of preparing for military aggression against Armenia by referring to the country as “Western Azerbaijan.” The Community rebuffed these allegations, citing Armenia’s previous occupation of Azerbaijani territories and Pashinyan’s own past statements regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region. They emphasized that the term “Western Azerbaijan” is based on historical and geographical realities and is utilized in line with international human rights conventions that recognize the right to self-identification.

The statement further criticized Pashinyan’s perspective on territorial integrity and sovereignty. It questioned the Armenian Prime Minister’s objection to the term “Western Azerbaijan” while simultaneously using terms like “Artsakh” and “Nagorno-Garabagh,” which the Community argues could also be seen as threats to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

The Western Azerbaijan Community asserted that it holds no territorial claims against Armenia. Instead, they advocate for a peaceful resolution through genuine steps towards reconciliation. The statement concludes with a call for the Armenian government to recognize the rights of Azerbaijanis to return to their ancestral lands in Armenia and to engage in dialogue with the Community to achieve historical reconciliation with Western Azerbaijanis.