Aliyev`s `Western Azerbaijan` program gaining momentum - Arman  Tatoyan 

ArmInfo. The so-called "Western Azerbaijan" program to occupy Armenian territory and resettle it with Azerbaijanis is gaining new momentum. Former Armenian Ombudsman and leader of the Wings of Unity party, Arman Tatoyan, stated this in a video message on his Facebook page, responding to assurances from the Armenian authorities about the establishment of peace with Azerbaijan on August 8 following the Washington agreements.

In this regard, the human rights activist cited several facts  confirming that the Azerbaijani side continues to advance its  narrative of the "return of Azerbaijanis." The former Ombudsman  primarily noted that an event was held in Azerbaijan under the  patronage of President Ilham Aliyev, dedicated to the topic of  "return to Western Azerbaijan." As Tatoyan noted, during this event,  Azerbaijani officials reported a significant improvement in the  quantitative and qualitative indicators of programs related to this  topic.

"According to data, the number of programs doubled this year,  reaching 51. Over the past two years, approximately 50 presentations,  conferences, and public hearings have been held, 25 books have been  published, and 11 documentaries have been produced on this topic.  Furthermore, Azerbaijani officials have stated that return to  so-called 'Western Azerbaijan' will be a priority for them, and grant  competitions will therefore be held with the participation of  international and regional organizations. Priority will be given to  non-governmental organizations that organize events abroad on the  topic of so-called 'Western Azerbaijan,'" the politician said.

He further noted that the head of this program, who is also a member  of the Azerbaijani parliament, stated that the Washington agreement  does not envisage removing the issue of 'Western Azerbaijan' from the  international agenda. "Furthermore, he emphasized that this agreement  can only accelerate the return process, and stated that the issue of  'Western Azerbaijan' concerns the rights of 100,000 people and is  based on international law, so no agreement can exclude it from  discussion." - added Tatoyan, also noting the growth in the number of  supporters of this program.

He also noted that Azerbaijan officially announced an increase in  funding for non-governmental organizations in the 2026 budget to  conduct events abroad on the topic of "Western Azerbaijan" and  attract foreign organizations.

In light of the above, Tatoyan questioned how it can be claimed that  the Azerbaijani president has no intention of advancing this program,  and that the activities of the relevant organization have ceased.   According to the former ombudsman, signals from Azerbaijan point to  existential risks for Armenia and new regional threats. "Meanwhile,  Pashinyan has failed to utilize US mediation and reputation to  protect the country's interests and, moreover, is contributing to  Azerbaijan's false goals," the politician added.  In conclusion,  Tatoyan assured that if in power, he would use all diplomatic means  and tools, including the Armenian diaspora, to demonstrate the real  risks this organization poses to Armenia, the entire South Caucasus,  and the world at large. "Today, we need to focus on addressing the  challenges of survival associated with this threat," the politician  concluded.

Recently, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, speaking at the Academy  of Sciences, instructed scientists to "substantiate" the "right of  return," declaring that the most opportune moment had arrived for  this, while Azerbaijan was at the height of its power. The Baku  leader, in his characteristic manner of "interpreting" history,  reiterated that Armenians were allegedly resettled to  Nagorno-Karabakh by Tsarist Russia from Iran and Anatolia, and that  most toponyms in Armenia, including Lake Sevan (which he called  "Goycha"), are of Azerbaijani origin, a claim confirmed by maps of  the Russian Empire. Speaking about the "return" of Azerbaijanis,  Aliyev reiterated his thesis that this should not frighten Armenia,  as it should happen "by cars, not tanks," but emphasized that the  primary responsibility for implementing this idea lies with the  state.