Azerbaijani Lawmaker Wants ‘Western Azerbaijan’ Claims Included in Armenia Peace Talks

A senior Azerbaijani lawmaker has called for the issue of the return of Azerbaijanis who once lived in Armenia to become part of ongoing peace discussions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, arguing that lasting regional stability cannot be achieved without addressing their claims.

Speaking at an event in Baku titled “Return to Western Azerbaijan: Restoration of Historical Justice and Human Rights,” the head of the so-called “Western Azerbaijan Community,” Aziz Alekberli, said the organization’s demand for the return of Azerbaijanis to their former places of residence should be included on the agenda of the peace process.

“Without restoring this right, it will be difficult to speak about sustainable and lasting peace in the region,” Alekberli said. He added that the organization is seeking international recognition and support for what it describes as the rights of Azerbaijanis displaced from Armenia, citing international legal principles.

Aleberli, who also serves as a member of Azerbaijan’s parliament, urged Armenia’s leadership to take into account what he described as the “new realities” that have emerged in the South Caucasus following years of conflict and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The statements come during an intensified campaign by Azerbaijani officials and organizations promoting the concept of “Western Azerbaijan”—a term used in Azerbaijan to refer to the territory of modern-day Armenia. The narrative has drawn strong criticism from Armenian officials, historians, and civil society groups, who argue that it carries territorial implications and raises concerns about future claims against Armenia’s sovereignty.

The issue has gained increasing visibility in recent weeks. A two-day conference dedicated to the subject was held in Nakhichevan earlier this month, where Azerbaijani officials discussed the return of so-called “Western Azerbaijanis.” Another discussion focused on the topic is scheduled to take place in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday.

The debate unfolds as Armenia and Azerbaijan continue negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement following decades of conflict. While both sides publicly support normalization, competing narratives over historical grievances, displacement, and territorial claims remain among the most sensitive obstacles to a lasting settlement.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously rejected claims that hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis would return to Armenia under any future agreement, describing such narratives as unfounded. Armenian officials have also expressed concern that the “Western Azerbaijan” campaign risks undermining trust at a time when both countries say they are seeking peace.

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