PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, commenting on the third "Return to Western Azerbaijan" festival-congress planned in Nakhichevan, said Azerbaijan's agenda "does not contribute at least to peace," according to Azatutyun.

"We have repeatedly had the opportunity to say that the rhetoric of Western Azerbaijan and its sponsorship or support by Azerbaijani state institutions do not fit within the broader discourse and process of peace, good-neighborly relations, and mutual recognition of political independence and territorial integrity that we initiated together with our Azerbaijani partners. We have repeatedly reaffirmed our commitments publicly, we have signed documents and will continue to do so. Yes, on this issue we do not have agreement," Mirzoyan told reporters.

Asked whether Armenia intended to discuss the matter with the Azerbaijani president, Mirzoyan replied that they would discuss it with Azerbaijani counterparts. Asked whether the issue endangered peace, the foreign minister responded:

"You know, I would not formulate it that way. I would say that it truly does not fit into the broader vision of peace, to which we have repeatedly jointly reaffirmed our commitment."

Yerevan has repeatedly stated that there is no and cannot be a "Western Azerbaijan" on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and that discussion of such an issue is excluded.

According to an Azerbaijani online publication, the event will take place on June 18-19 in Ordubad, Nakhichevan, jointly organized by the Azerbaijani president's representation in the region, the Ministry of Science and Education, Nakhchivan State University and the "Western Azerbaijan Community."

The congress is expected to feature presentations by scholars, researchers and public figures on the "realities, historical heritage and return prospects of Western Azerbaijan."

Source: PanArmenian.Net