“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2024
2024
A few days ago, an anti-Armenian event entitled "Return to Western Azerbaijan" was held in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhijevan. The representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Science and Education, Nakhichevan State University, and various universities from Turkey and Azerbaijan, along with the “Western Azerbaijan Community” participated in the event.
The representativeness of this event indicates that the Azerbaijani side is investing enormous resources to propagate the false thesis of "Western Azerbaijan." The installation of a tent named "Zangezur" and the presentation of a map of the Republic of Armenia featuring exclusively Azerbaijani place names clearly demonstrate the Aliyev government's intentions towards the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
Under the auspices of the Azerbaijani authorities and with the support of the Republic of Turkey, many Azerbaijani and Turkish educational and scientific institutions are actively engaged in the development and dissemination of the anti-Armenian "Western Azerbaijan" false thesis. The Aliyev regime allocates substantial financial resources to support these efforts.
It should also be noted that the choice of venue for this event was not accidental. Azerbaijanis frequently hold similar events in Nakhijevan, a region historically native Armenian, which has been completely depopulated due to genocidal actions.
Fuad Najafli, the plenipotentiary representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhijevan, gave the opening speech at the event. He confirmed that the concept of "Return to Western Azerbaijan" was developed by Azerbaijani "intellectuals" under the direct instructions of Ilham Aliyev.
The Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, Emin Amrullaev, discussed the continuation of the "Return to Western Azerbaijan" school olympiad. He noted that the volume of various grants awarded to scientists within the framework of the "Western Azerbaijan" thesis will be increased.
This anti-Armenian event was also attended by Aziz Alakbarli, head of the "Western Azerbaijan Community" organization. He emphasized that the organization spares no effort in presenting the community's issue at international forums.
In his speech, Mehmet Hakki Alman, the rector of Igdir University in Turkey, highlighted the strategic importance of Nakhijevan and the Syunik region of the Republic of Armenia. He discussed the issue of opening the so-called "Zangezur corridor," which he claimed would enable the realization of the long-standing dream of establishing a direct land connection between Turkic countries.
The Geghard Scientific and Analytical Foundation condemns this and similar anti-Armenian events. We call on international human rights organizations, diplomatic missions, various power centers, and public organizations to take appropriate steps to end the spread of anti-Armenian false narratives, Azerbaijan's overt aspirations towards the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and threats of aggression.