Azerbaijan’s firm stance on peace and return rights “Victor accipit quod vult”

Continuing our feature, "These amusing stories and their colorful characters" or, alternatively, "These entertaining neighbors and their equally entertaining benefactors," we highlight a standout figure who seems to have no rival: Toivo Klaar. Once the European Union's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and now the EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Klaar has indeed made an extraordinary leap in his career, surpassing expectations and achieving a remarkable professional ascent.

Evaluate this statement: "I expect direct negotiations between Baku and the Karabakh Armenians on their safe and dignified return to their native region. Azerbaijan has obligations in this regard, which I think it does not deny. The parameters and conditions for such a future must be found and agreed upon through inclusive and mutually respectful dialogue. Normalization to me means no open wounds, and therefore this issue should be part of a broader peace process. Sometimes other issues are raised in this context, such as the issue of the so-called 'West Azerbaijan.' For me, these are completely different issues that should not be mixed.

The first is the promotion of the return of the Karabakh Armenians to their ancestral homes, which is an obligation of Azerbaijan. The second is the issue of Armenians who used to live in other parts of Azerbaijan, including Baku, or Azerbaijanis who used to live in Armenia.

Naturally, they should also be able to visit the places where they lived or even return there, and this should also be a consequence of normalization.

However, this is a completely different issue from the specific issue of the Karabakh Armenians.”

In general, I find my favorite technique of saying "that's different" to be indispensable, a skill that one must master and continually refine, as the classic adage goes. It’s a practice that needs to be honed and perfected, as even an anonymous Soviet army political officer might add.

Something tells me that the "expectation of direct negotiations between Baku and the Karabakh Armenians" is not just a fruitless anticipation but rather baseless fantasies. The reality is that we have no intention of engaging in talks with these so-called "Karabakh Armenians" at all. Not in the slightest. Initially, they were offered the highest status and broadest autonomy. Their response was an arrogant and audacious "no."

Subsequently, after a series of corrective measures, our next offer was less generous but entirely reasonable: Armenians residing in Karabakh were invited to accept Azerbaijani citizenship. The Armenians made their choice, packed their belongings, and organized their long-desired reunification with Armenia, and that is now a permanent arrangement.

Let me emphasize once more: Azerbaijan does not miss them, and we have no intention of missing them in the future. We are doing quite well as it is. The territories have been liberated, the land has returned to its rightful owners, and all agricultural disputes with the Armenians were resolved by the Azerbaijani army in the shortest possible time. Any objections? None.

Furthermore, Mr Klaar has expressed opinions that seem to show a lack of understanding of the fundamental issues and the complex political situation in the region. He has spoken about the need for "a common understanding on the core issues: a peace treaty, border delimitation and demarcation, the resumption of regional economic and transport ties, and humanitarian issues."

However, Mr Klaar fails to grasp that the delimitation and demarcation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which remains conditional, is underway and will be conducted solely in accordance with Azerbaijan's interests.

As for a peace treaty and the resumption of regional economic and transport links— a peace treaty will only be signed after relevant amendments are made to the Armenian Constitution, and that is not open for discussion. Do not try to understand, just remember. Regarding transport and economic connections, Azerbaijan is indeed fully supportive, but of course, only on terms set by us.

This concept can be summed up by the Latin phrase "victor accipit quod vult," which translates to  “winners get to do what they want." For instance, this applies to the Zangezur Corridor and the unhindered movement of people and goods between Nakhchivan and mainland Azerbaijan. Naturally, there will be no inspections, permits, or tariffs. It's a corridor, and it's a matter of "victor accipit quod vult."

As the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rightly pointed out, it is entirely unacceptable to treat the issue of the return of Armenians who voluntarily left Azerbaijan as a special case. This stance is not merely biased but clearly anti-Azerbaijani and, consequently, pro-Armenian.

Toivo Klaar's emphasis on the distinct nature of the rights of return for Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from what is now Armenia serves as the clearest example of this disparity. It is a case of "all are equal, but some are more equal than others." No, Mr Klaar, we reiterate with straightforwardness and unwavering resolve that the return of Armenians to Azerbaijan will only be considered a topic for discussion after the return of 250,000 Azerbaijanis to Armenia. Under ironclad guarantees from the international community and with a peacekeeping contingent composed of representatives from Azerbaijan's friendly nations.

As the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rightly emphasized, "it is Armenia’s obligation to create appropriate conditions for the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to their native lands, and the international community must demand the fulfillment of this obligation." This is the only acceptable approach.

In summary, and by unanimous decision of the editorial board, without objections or abstentions, the "Building Castles in the Air" award is presented to Toivo Klaar, former Special Representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus and now the EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan. And once again, the key point: with no Azerbaijanis in Armenia, there will be no Armenians in Azerbaijan.