Baku, May 21, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has reiterated his firm support for the peaceful and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands in Armenia, calling it a fundamental prerequisite for peace, reconciliation, and the protection of human rights in the region.
In a message addressed to participants of the international conference titled “Return to Western Azerbaijan as an Important Condition for the Supremacy of Human Rights”, President Aliyev praised the efforts of the Western Azerbaijan Community, stating that their peaceful initiatives, rooted in international law, have gained growing support from the global community.
“The peaceful initiatives of the Western Azerbaijan Community, in accordance with international law, are commendable and enjoy the support of the world community,” he said. “Ensuring the safe, dignified, and peaceful return of Western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands in Armenia is an essential condition for the establishment of peace, human rights, and reconciliation in the region.”
President Aliyev emphasized that the aspiration of Western Azerbaijanis to return should not be misinterpreted as a territorial claim against Armenia. “Armenia should abandon attempts to portray this desire in this manner,” he stressed, adding that the matter will remain a priority on Azerbaijan’s national agenda until it is resolved.
He also underlined the necessity of providing robust security guarantees for returning Azerbaijani populations to ensure their safety and long-term integration.
Concluding his message, the Azerbaijani leader expressed confidence in the impact of the international conference, highlighting its role in raising global awareness about the issue and accelerating efforts toward the return of displaced Azerbaijani communities. “We believe that this international conference, which serves the goal of increasing the awareness of the world community about Western Azerbaijan, will make a significant contribution to the return of our compatriots to their native lands,” he stated.
