Ex-ombudsman: Azerbaijan outlines fresh demands after conclusion of ‘peace talks’ with Armenia

Following the conclusion of negotiations on the so-called Armenia-Azerbaijan “peace agreement”, Azerbaijani political figures have started making additional demands on nearly all Azerbaijani media platforms controlled by the authorities, former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan claims.

The following demands have been outlined:

• The Armenian government must ensure the return of the so-called “Western Azerbaijanis” and guarantee their unrestricted entry into and exit from Armenia.
• Armenia must agree to the opening of the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” in the form specified by the Azerbaijani president during a joint press conference with Turkish leader in November 2021 – specifically, to establish a corridor connecting the entire Turkic world.
• Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia must be made in line with Azerbaijani demands.
• Armenia has to pay compensation to Azerbaijan.
• Armenia must initiate the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group.
• Armenia must undergo demilitarization, including the return of acquired weapons.
• Armenia must stop glorifying the victory in the First Artsakh War and its participants.
• All organizations and structures in Armenia that promote national values must be shut down.

“According to Azerbaijani state propaganda, these issues need to be addressed outside the framework of the ‘peace agreement’ and before it is signed,” Tatoyan stated.

“In addition to concealing these critical issues from the Armenian public, the Armenian authorities, desperate to cling to power, are deliberately misleading the people. They are creating the illusion that they are in control of the situation and that the agreement serves Armenia’s interests, despite knowing full well that this is not the case,” he added.