The 'Western Azerbaijan' Project as a Basis for Possible Claims Against Armenia: Analyst

Swedish journalist Rasmus Kanbek has written that the 'Western Azerbaijan' initiative is funded and coordinated by the Azerbaijani presidential administration. Documents leaked by him show that Baku has organized and financed an international campaign, presenting it as a humanitarian program.

According to the journalist, the initiative actually carries territorial aspirations and is aimed at making possible claims against Armenia. Kanbek noted that the term 'Western Azerbaijan' refers not to Azerbaijan, but to Armenian territory. The initiative is presented as a humanitarian endeavor aimed at ensuring the 'safe and dignified return' of Azerbaijanis who were displaced from Armenia in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

According to the journalist, over 109,000 manats (approximately $65,000) were spent for the conference held in Baku on December 5-6, 2023, entitled 'Ensuring the Safe and Dignified Return of Azerbaijanis Deported from Armenia: Global Context and Just Solution,' which covered the expenses for participants' accommodation, audiovisual design, and digital platform costs.