We Want to Achieve Peace with the Armenian People as Well - Hajiyev Outlines Demands

Baku considers Armenia's Constitution an obstacle to reaching a peaceful agreement with Yerevan, as it implies territorial claims against Azerbaijan. This was stated by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and head of the external policy department of the presidential administration, in an interview with La Repubblica.

“We are closer to peace than ever before, but obstacles remain that prevent us from moving forward. The first is the Constitution of Armenia, which, in the part concerning the establishment of independence, points to the reunification of Armenia with the Azerbaijani territories of Karabakh. We want to reach peace not only with the Armenian government but also with the people of the country, who should demand a referendum to amend the Constitution, renouncing claims to Azerbaijani territories,” he said.

According to him, it is vital for Azerbaijan to have guarantees: “We need a referendum where Armenians will show that they do not support claims to Karabakh.” He also noted that Armenia's militarization should be “responsible and proportional,” expressing concern over Yerevan’s purchase of long-range missiles from France.

“The best solution for Armenia would be neutrality, rather than forming military alliances against Azerbaijan,” Hajiyev pointed out. He added that Baku sees some Western countries, which have a “colonial history,” including France, mistakenly supporting Armenia in light of its revanchist sentiments. “This is counterproductive for all of Europe,” he noted.