Simonyan: Azerbaijanis will live in Armenia like Armenians in Georgia

PanARMENIAN.Net - In remarks to reporters, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan addressed Azerbaijani claims that 300,000 Azerbaijanis should return to Armenia, stating that the issue should be viewed in the same logic Armenia applies to the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Don’t be surprised they talk about Western Azerbaijan—we’ve done the same. The idea of 300,000 Azerbaijanis returning is part of the same logic. Don’t we say the Armenians of Karabakh should return to live in Azerbaijan? I’m surprised this sounds new to some,” Simonyan said, as reported by Pastinfo.

According to him, Armenia is not making judgments, only stating the facts.

“We’re not assessing—we’re saying what’s happening. Yes, Karabakh Armenians must return one day and live in their homes, and it would be good if our churches reopen,” he said, though adding that the return of 300,000 Azerbaijanis is not currently feasible.

Simonyan noted that such a process is unworkable today due to security concerns.

“It’s impossible from a security perspective because, as stated in the peace treaty, everything must be reciprocal. When there is a peace agreement, Armenians can live in Baku, and others can return to villages where they once lived. How do Armenians live in Georgia now? That’s how Azerbaijanis would live here. In fact, five minutes after a peace treaty is signed, people in Armenia and Azerbaijan will begin trading, communicating, and interacting in all ways,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking at the second “Yerevan Dialogue” international forum, stated that the concept of “Western Azerbaijan” has no basis and cannot exist on Armenia’s sovereign territory. He emphasized that such discussions are ruled out for Yerevan and this is a legally sound position.