Bako Sahakian: "Azerbaijani refugees can return if they recognise the jurisdiction of the Artsakh Republic"

The president of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has spoken about the conditions under which tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis displaced by the conflict in the 1990s can return. 

In an interview with the newspaper of the Armenian diaspora in the United States, the Armenian Mirror Spectator, Bako Sahakian said, (using the term Artasakh Republic for Nagorno-Karabakh):

The situation of refugees in the region is often raised in international circles. Sahakyan said, "At present, it is Azerbaijani refugees that are chiefly talked about. We naturally are in favor of talking not only about Azerbaijani refugees but also about Armenian refugees." Sahakyan declared, concerning Azerbaijanis who used to live in Artsakh and who may wish to regain control of their properties, "We have said on multiple occasions over the course of recent years that Azerbaijani refugees naturally can return to Artsakh, to the Artsakh Republic, if they recognize its jurisdiction."

He said that while no such applications have occurred so far, "if such applications take place, we will process them in accordance with the delineated norms and laws and present our conclusions and answers."

The entire Azerbaijani population of Nagorno-Karabakh was displaced during the conflict in the 1990s. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, sometimes referred to in Armenian sources as the Artsakh Republic is not recognised by any state, and the territory is still considered as part of Azerbaijan by the international community.

Commonspace.eu political editor said in a comment that the issue of the return of the displaced Azerbaijanis back to Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the most difficult in the process of negotiating a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Bako Sahakian has spoken about this in the past, but his choice of words introduces some nuances which no doubt will be hotly discussed. For Azerbaijanis recognising the jurisdiction of the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is unacceptable, which is why no one has returned."

source: commonspace.eu with the Armenian Mirror Spectator.

photo: The adminsitrative building of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held on August 31–September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China, brought together leaders of the 10 member states, as well as representatives from over 20 countries and 10 international organisations. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining key directions for cooperation and security. Armenia officially announced its intention to join the SCO on July 3, 2025, emphasising its commitment to the organisation’s core principles, territorial integrity, non-use of force, and inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan submitted its application later, in August. Currently, the process of admitting Armenia and Azerbaijan to the SCO is in the preliminary co-ordination stage, involving the attainment of partner status with the prospect of transitioning to full membership in the future.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held on August 31–September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China, brought together leaders of the 10 member states, as well as representatives from over 20 countries and 10 international organisations. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining key directions for cooperation and security. Armenia officially announced its intention to join the SCO on July 3, 2025, emphasising its commitment to the organisation’s core principles, territorial integrity, non-use of force, and inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan submitted its application later, in August. Currently, the process of admitting Armenia and Azerbaijan to the SCO is in the preliminary co-ordination stage, involving the attainment of partner status with the prospect of transitioning to full membership in the future.