Armenian Foreign Ministry's Call to Azerbaijani Authorities

Armenia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan responded to a question regarding the speech made by the President of Azerbaijan at the event dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Sumgait. This was reported by the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

Question: The President of Azerbaijan delivered an extensive speech at the event commemorating the 70th anniversary of Sumgait, where he addressed issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, particularly the anti-Armenian massacres that took place in Sumgait. Please provide your comments on the statements made.

The President of Azerbaijan also disclosed the existence of a deliberate policy during the Soviet era aimed at altering the demographic landscape in Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed regret over the incomplete realization of this policy.

Response: We condemn the exploitation of issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, particularly the tragedy that occurred in Sumgait, for the purpose of addressing internal political problems. The Sumgait massacres are well-documented, and the distortion of facts by Azerbaijan poses a dangerous manifestation of denialism, inciting hatred against Armenians and genocidal tendencies.

The crimes committed against Armenians in Baku, Ganja, Maragha, Talish, and elsewhere, the failure to condemn ethnic cleansing and mass massacres, and furthermore, the justification of these acts, are manifestations of the anti-Armenian rhetoric encouraged by the Azerbaijani authorities, including the glorification of Ramil Safarov and other murderers of Armenians. All these undermine the formation of trust and damage the peace process.

By revealing Azerbaijan's intentions and the policies aimed at changing the demographic character of Artsakh through the decrease of Armenians and the increase of Azerbaijanis, the President of Azerbaijan further emphasizes the legitimacy of the Armenian side's fundamental concern regarding the existential physical security of the Artsakh people both in 1988 and today.

We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to demonstrate political will in providing a realistic assessment of the mass atrocities of Sumgait, to cease denialism, and to respect the dignity of the victims and survivors, as well as to credibly contribute to the preparation of their peoples for peace.