Azerbaijan rejects Armenian PM's claims, demands action on peace process

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada has strongly refuted the statement made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on March 18, 2025, accusing Azerbaijan of distorting facts regarding border shootings and making unfounded claims.

"We firmly reject the statement by the Prime Minister’s Office of Armenia dated 18 March 2025 that distorts the realities on the ground and the facts of border area shootings, along with absolutely unfounded claims against Azerbaijan," Hajizada said in a statement published on the Ministry’s website, Caliber.Az reports.

"Ending the border shooting cases that the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced, as well as the open provocations by the Armenian military personnel, is a must for stability," Hajizada said.

Hajizada further emphasized the need for Armenia to cease its provocations and ceasefire violations, which have been documented in video recordings. "Instead of demonstrating goodwill and ceasing such provocations, the Armenian side’s abstract and practically impossible propositions have no validity, as they were for almost 30 years during the occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia," the statement continued.

Azerbaijan also addressed the issue of Armenia's military buildup, particularly along the border. "If the Government of Armenia is guided by the agenda of peace, it would be timely to explain how the massive military buildups, especially in the border areas, that include the deployment of offensive weaponry, serve such an agenda," the spokesperson added.

He also criticized Armenia's handling of peace negotiations. "It was Azerbaijan that took the first steps by proposing to work on the peace agreement back in early 2022, when Armenia, by all means, derailed the process," the statement read. "Despite Armenia’s multiple challenges in the negotiations, it is due to Azerbaijan’s efforts that such an achievement in the process was accomplished."

Hajizada reiterated official Baku's position on the necessity of constitutional amendments in Armenia to eliminate territorial claims against Azerbaijan. "We once again reiterate our principled position that the amendment to Armenia’s constitution to eliminate the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is a prerequisite to allow the signing of the negotiated text," he stated.

In addition, the diplomat called for the dissolution of the Minsk Group, which has been involved in mediating peace efforts. "We emphasize the necessity to formally abolish the obsolete and dysfunctional Minsk Group and related structures of the OSCE," the statement concluded.

The Azerbaijani diplomat also criticized Armenia for its failure to meet its obligations regarding the opening of communications between Azerbaijan’s western regions and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. "Despite written and signed obligations regarding the opening of communications, Armenia has not fulfilled them for four years," the Ministry pointed out. "If the Armenian side is genuinely interested in the opening of communications in the region, it must take practical steps in line with the new regional realities."

In conclusion, Hajizada reaffirmed Baku's commitment to peace. "Azerbaijan will continue its peace efforts in all directions and will resolutely prevent any steps against this process," the statement added.

By Khagan Isayev