Alen Simonian on Aliyev's Demand for 'Western Azerbaijan'

We also have territorial claims, don’t we? For instance, when representatives from Artsakh elect a new president for themselves and then make certain statements, we often overlook that, but in response to Azerbaijan’s actions, we point out, 'Look at what they said.' This was stated by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian, during a conversation with journalists in parliament, commenting on Azerbaijan’s statements that Armenia is 'Western Azerbaijan.'

“I mean, when the representatives of Artsakh announce they are electing a new National Assembly president, the President of Azerbaijan says, 'I’m coming soon to establish 'Western Azerbaijan.' But you only notice part of it and not the other parts,” he remarked.

When asked if the comparison was appropriate, he replied, “Of course, it is appropriate.” In response to a follow-up question about whether 'Western Azerbaijan' ever existed in the territory of Armenia, he replied, “Get out of the Armenian universe. Yes, it has never existed, and it cannot exist. Moreover, that’s not the issue; rather, he responds in a mirror-like manner. What I’m saying is that you need to understand that besides our perceptions, which can be correct, incorrect, or interpreted differently, they also respond in that way. What I’m emphasizing is that these actions and statements are their mirror response, that’s it.

Now, I don’t know; maybe one day he will say something different. I’m just questioning why he does that; I’m not saying he’s right or wrong.” Regarding the observation that expressions of 'Western Azerbaijan' existed even before the election of the Artsakh parliament's president, and that Simonian is merely trying to shift the focus to the Armenians of Artsakh, he insisted, “No, no, no, no, no, you’re mistaken.”

You are wrong; the issue is that he is trying now and has always tried to do the same things that we, in our understanding, have done. Actually, we are not in a debate with each other here, and we cannot have one; I’m not defending any side, I’m just stating his actions. He has decided that if we say 'Artsakh,' he has to say 'Western Azerbaijan,' that’s the bottom line.”