Azerbaijan rejects Armenia’s “baseless” claims over OIC resolutions

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has issued a strong rebuttal to remarks made by Armenia concerning the Istanbul Declaration and the resolutions adopted during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Istanbul.

In an official commentary, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada dismissed Yerevan’s statements as “baseless” and accused Armenia of misrepresenting both the content of the OIC documents and historical facts, Caliber.Az reports.

“We strongly reject the baseless statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia issued on 23 June 2025 regarding the “Istanbul Declaration” and the resolutions adopted at the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Armenia’s attempt to distort the content of these documents and misrepresent historical facts is yet another example of its persistent efforts to undermine the peace process and mislead the international community,” Hajizada stated.

Among the resolutions in question is the OIC’s endorsement of “the Right of Return of the Azerbaijanis Forcefully and Systemically Expelled from the Territory of the Present-Day Armenia.” According to Hajizada, this resolution reflects undeniable historical realities and aligns with principles of international law and justice.

“Contrary to Armenia’s claims, the systematic expulsions of Azerbaijanis from present-day Armenia were not voluntary but were marked by violence, intimidation, and gross violations of human rights,” he said, stressing that the resolution is not a territorial claim but a call for justice.

Addressing Armenian criticism of the OIC’s reference to the 2023 anti-terror measures, Hajizada highlighted the context of Armenia’s nearly 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territory, which displaced more than 700,000 people. He reiterated that Azerbaijan’s actions in 2023 were aimed at restoring its territorial sovereignty.

He also defended the OIC resolution recognizing the 1992 Khojaly massacre as genocide, calling Armenia’s dismissal of it “a further attempt to evade accountability.”

“This crime against humanity has been documented by international human rights organizations and is recognized by numerous countries. Armenia’s refusal to acknowledge its responsibility for this and other war crimes, including the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage during the occupation, further undermines its credibility in the peace process,” Hajizada added.

Reiterating Azerbaijan’s commitment to a comprehensive peace based on mutual respect for sovereignty, Hajizada stated, “While Azerbaijan has consistently advocated for a comprehensive peace agreement based on mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, Armenia has repeatedly obstructed progress by refusing to engage constructively on critical issues.”

“The OIC’s call for Armenia to eliminate obstacles to signing a peace agreement without delay aligns with the international community’s expectations for a resolution that ensures lasting stability in the South Caucasus.”

Concluding his remarks, the spokesman noted that the OIC’s position echoes the expectations of the wider international community and urged Yerevan to abandon “revisionist rhetoric.”

“Armenia’s attempts to politicize the OIC’s principled stance and deflect responsibility for its actions will not deter Azerbaijan from pursuing a just and sustainable peace. We urge Armenia to abandon its revisionist rhetoric and acknowledge its historical responsibilities.”

By Vafa Guliyeva