Narrative of so-called Western Azerbaijan is troublesome and could be used as pretence for war, Swedish lawmaker warns

The narrative of so-called Western Azerbaijan targeting Armenia could be used as a pretence for war, Swedish Member of Parliament Erik Hellsborn has warned.

In an interview with Armenpress, Hellsborn touched upon Baku’s narrative of the so-called Western Azerbaijan community, the Azeri government’s discontent regarding Armenia’s arms acquisitions, as well as the likelihood of escalation in the region.

Baku has been advancing its so-called Western Azerbaijan narrative to try and justify its aspirations towards sovereign Armenian territories.

“The “Western Azerbaijan” rhetoric is troublesome,” the Swedish MP said. “Even if [President of Azerbaijan] Aliyev today claims that he is only talking about displaced peoples’ right to return, it sounded drastically different not long ago. The idea that Armenia or parts of Armenia is a “Western Azerbaijan” could be used as a pretence for war in the future.”

Speaking about Azerbaijan’s complaints regarding Armenia’s arms acquisitions, Hellsborn said that building up one’s defensive capabilities is not in itself an act of aggression and that strong defense is a deterrent.

“This argument from Baku is nothing new, and it makes no more sense today than 3 or 5 years ago. Building up one’s defensive capabilities is not in itself an act of aggression. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden and many other NATO countries responded with increased military budgets. This doesn’t mean that we plan to attack Russia or its allies. A strong defense is a deterrent, which can prevent wars from ever getting started. A stronger Armenian defense with more modern equipment is good for peace, not the other way around,” Hellsborn said.

Speaking about Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that ‘If Azerbaijan doesn’t have intentions to attack Armenia the likelihood of escalation in the region is zero’, the Swedish legislator expressed hope that the negotiations will be successful, and there will be a long, lasting peace.

He said that even the idea of an Armenian invasion of Azerbaijan is “altogether absurd.”

“The idea of an Armenian invasion of Azerbaijan is of course altogether absurd. An Azerbaijani invasion of Armenian territory on the other hand is not. Hopefully the negotiations will be successful, and there will be a long lasting peace. But given Azerbaijan’s history, no one can blame Armenia for being cautious,” he said.

Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1208448