‘Return to Western Azerbaijan’ Festival to be Held in Nakhichevan
As official Baku continues to advance the narrative of “Western Azerbaijan,” by claiming that much of the eastern portion of Armenia is historically Azerbaijani territory, it was reported on Thursday that a so-called “Return to Western Azerbaijan” festival and congress will take place in Nakhichevan next month.
The event, slated to be held from June 18 to 19, is the third such gathering and is jointly organized by the Azerbaijani presidential representation in Nakhichevan, the education ministry, Nakhichevan State University and the so-called “Western Azerbaijan” community, the state run report.az reported.
According to the same news source, the congress, which will take place in Ordubad, will feature reports by researchers, public officials and social scientists about “the realities, historical heritage and prospects of return of Western Azerbaijan.”
The festival portion of the event part “will feature presentations reflecting national-cultural values, artistic creations and the spirit of unity,” according to report.az.
Yerevan has repeatedly stated that there has never been and cannot be a so-called “Western Azerbaijan” on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and discussion on this issue must not even take place.
“How many times have we had the opportunity to say that the discussion about ‘Western Azerbaijan’ and its advancement or support from Azerbaijani state structures does not conform with the framework of and the peace process, good neighborliness, recognition of each other’s political independence and territorial integrity, which we have initiated with our Azerbaijani partners. How many times have we publicly reaffirmed our commitments, we have signed documents and will continue to have them. Yes, we do not have an agreement on this issue,” Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told reporters on Thursday.
When asked by Azaturyun.am whether Yerevan will discuss the matter with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Mirzoyan responded that they will address the matter with officials in Baku.
“You know, I wouldn’t put it that way, I would say that it really doesn’t fit into the grand vision of peace, to which we have also reaffirmed our commitment several times,” Mirzoyan said, emphasizing that he believes Azerbaijan pursuing this agenda “does not contribute to peace in the least.”
