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Aykhan Hajizada responds to Armenian Foreign Ministry

Aykhan Hajizada, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

23 June 2025 19:24 (UTC +04:00)

“We categorically reject the unfounded statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry dated June 23, 2025, regarding the 'Istanbul Declaration' and the resolutions adopted during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” said Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada in response to Armenian Foreign Ministry’s remarks regarding the decisions adopted at the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in Istanbul, APA reports.

Hajizada emphasized that Armenia’s attempt to distort the contents of these documents and falsify historical facts is yet another example of efforts to undermine the peace process and mislead the international community.

“The resolutions adopted by the OIC, including the one titled ‘The Right of Return of Azerbaijanis Forcefully and Systematically Expelled from Present-Day Armenian Territory,’ reflect historical facts and are based on principles of international law and justice. Contrary to Armenia’s claims, the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from present-day Armenia was not voluntary but marked by violence, intimidation, and gross violations of human rights. The OIC’s support for the right of return does not represent a territorial claim, as Armenia alleges, but a call for justice and restoration of fundamental rights,” he noted.

Taking into account the context of the nearly 30-year-long illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia—which displaced over 700,000 Azerbaijanis and ended with the restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty in 2023—Armenia’s claims regarding the 2023 anti-terror measures are equally groundless.

The OIC resolution on the Khojaly genocide, which Armenia rejected as a “distorted interpretation,” once again confirms the undeniable truth of the atrocities committed by Armenian armed forces in February 1992 in Khojaly, where 613 civilians, including women and children, were brutally killed. This crime against humanity has been documented by international human rights organizations and recognized by many countries. Armenia’s continued refusal to acknowledge responsibility for this and other war crimes, including the destruction of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage during the occupation, further undermines its credibility in the peace process,” the MFA spokesperson stated.

Aykhan Hajizada emphasized that Armenia’s claim of commitment to peace does not align with its actions: “While Azerbaijan has consistently advocated for a comprehensive peace agreement based on mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, Armenia has repeatedly hindered progress by taking an unconstructive stance on critical issues.

The OIC’s call for Armenia to immediately remove obstacles to the signing of a peace treaty reflects the international community’s expectations for a sustainable resolution ensuring lasting stability in the South Caucasus.

Armenia’s attempts to politicize the OIC’s principled position and evade accountability for its actions will not deter Azerbaijan from its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace. We call on Armenia to abandon its revisionist rhetoric and to acknowledge its historical responsibilities.”