Azerbaijan Responds to Armenian Statements on Karabakh and regional integrity
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s remarks about ethnic cleansing in Karabakh as both false and dangerous. This assessment was reported by RIA News and echoed in official channels in Baku.
During a speech at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council, Mirzoyan argued that affirming Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity should not be interpreted as a general license for ethnic cleansing in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. He also condemned what Armenia views as Azerbaijan’s measures to close the Lachin corridor, the sole artery linking Karabakh with Armenia. The Armenian side described these actions as illegal and inhumane, framing them as a disruption to essential access for the people living in Karabakh.
In response, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its stance that the alleged ethnic cleansing claims against Azerbaijan are unfounded and dangerous. The ministry asserted that, historically, Armenia has carried out violent acts and forced displacement against Azerbaijani communities, while Azerbaijan has not pursued a policy aimed at cleansing people of Armenian origin living within its borders. The statement underscored a distinction between Ankara’s and Baku’s approaches to regional stability and the protection of all residents in the contested areas.
The ministry also pointed to remarks by the Armenian Prime Minister who acknowledged Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan yet argued that this recognition did not contribute to the reintegration of Armenian-descended inhabitants into Azerbaijan. From the Azerbaijani perspective, such positions are viewed as obstacles to sovereignty and the preservation of territorial integrity. The emphasis was on the need for policies and actions that reinforce a stable, lawful framework for the region’s future and the rights of all communities within Azerbaijan’s jurisdiction.
There is a broader discourse on mutual recognition of territorial integrity between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with both sides expressing a desire for respectful treatment of borders and populations. Officials stress that any settlement should be grounded in internationally recognized borders, adherence to international law, and practical steps that promote safety, access, and equal rights for all residents in Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. The narrative from Baku stresses that progress must come through peaceful coexistence and durable arrangements that reflect the realities on the ground and the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. [Citation: Azerbaijani MFA statements; OSCE proceedings; RIA News summary]