Aliyev demands conditions from Armenia for return of ‘Western Azerbaijanis’

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter to the international community addressing the so-called return of Western Azerbaijanis.

He accused the Armenian public of hatred toward the Turkish people and of living with dreams of a “Great Armenia,” which contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Aliyev again referred to Armenia’s Constitution, which he claims contains territorial demands against neighbors, and spoke about the denial of the right of the so-called “Western Azerbaijanis” to return, considering it an obstacle on the “path to peace.”

“Armenia must cease territorial ambitions against neighbors, take steps to preserve the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis, allow the conduct of a UNESCO monitoring mission, and begin dialogue with the public on the issue of return,” Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijani president also demanded that the Armenian authorities clearly state under what conditions the Western Azerbaijanis could return to their historic homeland.

“I would like to emphasize that the desire of Western Azerbaijanis to return does not mean territorial claims against Armenia, and Armenia should refrain from attempts to present such a desire in that format,” Aliyev added.