Parliament Speaker Alen Simonian on Tuesday sought to rationalize Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s repeated references to Armenia’s territory as “Western Azerbaijan,” suggesting they are reactions to statements made by Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabakh’s) exiled leadership in Armenia.
Aliyev recently renewed his demand for the return of Azerbaijanis who lived in Armenia before the late 1980s, prompting Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to label the remarks as territorial claims. However, Simonian argued Aliyev is merely mirroring what he perceives as Armenian actions regarding Karabakh.
“When Karabakh’s representatives elect a new president and make statements, we don’t notice it, but when Azerbaijan responds, we cry foul,” Simonian said.
He dismissed the notion that “Western Azerbaijan” lacks historical legitimacy, noting that even Karabakh—while long involved in peace talks—had no formal international recognition.
Simonian, a close ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, previously visited a then-Armenian-controlled Azerbaijani district and called it his “homeland.” Pashinian himself stirred controversy in November by comparing Aliyev’s claims to Armenians’ references to eastern Turkey as “Western Armenia,” historic Armenian lands lost after the 1915 genocide.
Aliyev has also reiterated demands that Armenia amend its constitution before a peace deal is signed. Pashinian urged Baku to drop such preconditions this week but was rebuffed. Still, Simonian expressed optimism: “Five minutes after the treaty is signed, Armenians and Azerbaijanis will start trading and communicating.”
Opposition leaders, however, warn that the unpublished treaty may sacrifice national interests and is being pushed by Pashinian to bolster his political future ahead of the 2026 elections.
