Baku: President Ilham Aliyev has addressed participants of the Second International Conference on ‘The Right to Return: Advancing Justice for Azerbaijanis Expelled from Armenia’, organized by the Western Azerbaijan Community in Baku. In his message, President Aliyev highlighted the global issue of forced displacement, affecting over 120 million people worldwide, and emphasized the necessity of international collaboration to effectively address this challenge.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev underscored the historical displacements endured by Azerbaijanis, particularly those living in what is now Armenia. He detailed a series of ethnic cleansings and deportations from 1918 to 1991 that led to Azerbaijanis being forcibly expelled from their ancestral lands, resulting in Armenia becoming a mono-ethnic state. The destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in the region, including historical sites and the Art of Azerbaijani Ashiq, was also a significant point in his address.
President Al
iyev criticized Armenia for attempting to alter the historical identity of the Blue Mosque, a notable example of Azerbaijani architecture. He accused Armenia of military aggression, ethnic cleansing, and environmental damage in occupied Azerbaijani territories. Despite these challenges, he highlighted Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 Patriotic War, which has paved the way for the return of displaced persons to regions like Karabakh and East Zangezur.
He expressed concern over Armenia’s continued territorial claims and rapid military armament, which he believes hinder lasting peace. President Aliyev argued that the Western Azerbaijan Community’s efforts for a peaceful return of displaced Azerbaijanis are misrepresented by Armenia as threats to its territorial integrity. He called on Armenia to engage in dialogue and allow UNESCO to assess the situation regarding the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage.
President Aliyev urged the international community to support the peaceful initiatives of the West
ern Azerbaijan Community and emphasized the importance of the successful implementation of the Concept of Return. He concluded by expressing hope that the conference would serve as an important platform for dialogue on the right of return and the global displacement issue.