BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 24. The Concept of Return to Western Azerbaijan should be an authoritative document, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said on December 24 at a meeting with intellectuals from Western Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
"I believe that we should also work on a concept of return to Western Azerbaijan together. Now that the Karabakh conflict has been resolved, this is the issue on our agenda. Of course, it was probably premature to talk about it before the Karabakh conflict was resolved. But I think we should not waste any time now. A Concept of Return should be developed. Again, it should be a peaceful concept, as they say. We should proceed from the provisions of all international conventions that are acceptable to us and seek our rights on the basis of that. There must be a Concept of Return. Many, the vast majority of our historical dwelling sites are now empty. We know that. We know our past well. Every person from Western Azerbaijan knows the places where their great-grandfathers lived. This information can be obtained in different ways these days. Nobody lives in most of the places where Azerbaijanis used to live. Armenia as a whole is now going through a period of depopulation. People are leaving it. There is no natural growth, but at the same time, the intolerable political situation, repressions, actual dictatorship and economic difficulties make them leave. Our villages are being destroyed. We can't tolerate that. This is why we have to work on the Concept of Return. This should be an authoritative document. Of course, there will definitely be other offers. I simply wanted to share my thoughts on your future activities during this meeting today.
Of course, I will wait for your suggestions. The community should attach great importance to this work both within its own capabilities and with the support of the Azerbaijani state. I am sure that we will achieve it.
I must say once again that this place was not chosen for the community by accident. It has a symbolic meaning. The natives of Karabakh who used to occupy this building have either returned to Karabakh or are preparing to do so. The Western Azerbaijanis living here will also return, Inshallah," President Ilham Aliyev said.