Azerbaijani officials gather in Khachmaz to discuss Western Azerbaijanis' return to ancestral lands PHOTO

In line with the "Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty," a scientific-practical conference titled "Western Azerbaijan – Our Native Land" was held in Azerbaijan's Khachmaz district on June 5.

The conference, jointly organised by the Khachmaz District Executive Authority and the Western Azerbaijan Community (WAC), opened with a documentary film showcasing the historical and contemporary realities of Western Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The event featured keynote addresses by prominent figures, including Chairman of the WAC Supervisory Board and Director General of the Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics under the Ministry of Science and Education, Misir Mardanov; Chairman of the WAC Council of Elders and MP Ahliman Amiraslanov; WAC Board Member and MP Hikmat Mammadov; and Chair of the WAC Women’s Council and MP Malahat Ibrahimgizi.

Speakers emphasised the importance of ongoing efforts related to the rightful return to Western Azerbaijan and underlined that the conference forms part of a broader series of nationwide initiatives. These efforts focus on raising awareness about the history, cultural heritage, and the large-scale deportations of Azerbaijanis from their ancestral lands in Western Azerbaijan.

Western Azerbaijan, covering an area of 29,800 square kilometres, is one of the most historically and geographically rich regions associated with Azerbaijani heritage. Once a vital part of ancient caravan routes linking the Caucasus and the Near East, it is bordered today by Georgia, Türkiye, Iran, and the Republic of Azerbaijan. While this territory is now internationally recognised as Armenia, historical records and cultural artefacts such as ancient settlements, fortresses, mosques, and inscriptions point to its deep-rooted Turkic-Oghuz and Azerbaijani past.

During the Russian Empire and Soviet rule, large-scale resettlement policies led to the systematic relocation of Armenians into these lands, coinciding with the gradual displacement and marginalisation of Azerbaijanis. These policies culminated in the late 20th century with the violent expulsion of Azerbaijanis from their ancestral homes amid the Karabakh conflict.

Following Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 Second Karabakh War, national efforts have expanded to include advocating for the rights and eventual return of Western Azerbaijanis. In this context, President Ilham Aliyev's "Concept of Return" initiative, which focuses on ensuring peaceful, safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from modern-day Armenia, serves as a cornerstone for both political aspiration and cultural preservation. 

By Khagan Isayev