Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Responds Firmly to Ararat Mirzoyan

“It is not common practice in interstate relations to refer to B.C. history and myths. This approach of the foreign minister of neighboring Armenia is a rare occurrence that we encounter,” stated Leyla Abdullayeva, head of the press service of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, in response to the comments made by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

Abdullayeva emphasized that “the use of relevant maps in the delimitation process will become an integral part of the negotiations of joint border commissions.” She added, “We will use all those maps that have a legal basis.”

It is noteworthy that Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had responded to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's statements regarding the adjustment of borders with Armenia, claiming that maps from 1918 and all those existing until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 would be used as a foundational basis. Aliyev suggested that according to certain maps from 1918-1920, Yerevan and Syunik are allegedly part of Azerbaijan.

Mirzoyan specifically stated: “We are not against the study of maps. But why limit ourselves to the 20th century? We could start with maps created in the 6th century B.C. in Babylon, or those developed by Herodotus in the 5th century B.C., or those from the 1st century B.C. by Strabo, or maps created in the 2nd century A.D. by Claudius Ptolemy, or similar maps made by Pliny the Elder during the same period, and continue with numerous Latin, Byzantine, Arab, and other geographical descriptions and maps from subsequent periods. Armenia has no fears of not being found in those maps. Nevertheless, being interested in the effective work of the future delimitation and border security committee, the Republic of Armenia believes that this work should be based on maps that are mutually accepted and have legal force by both sides.”