The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia has expressed deep disappointment over the distorted and one-sided language contained in the “Istanbul Declaration” and accompanying resolutions adopted at the recent ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), particularly those presented at Azerbaijan’s initiative.
According to the Ministry’s statement, the narratives put forward in these documents contradict the logic and purpose of establishing lasting peace in the region. The Armenian side strongly objects to the promotion of the so-called “Western Azerbaijan” discourse, which it says masks a clear territorial claim against Armenia under the guise of human rights concerns.
“We deem it important to remind that what Azerbaijan refers to as ‘Western Azerbaijan’ actually comprises Azerbaijan’s own western regions, including Qazakh, Tovuz, Aghstafa, Gadabay, Dashkasan, Kalbajar, Lachin, Gubadli, Zangilan, and Nakhichevan. There is no such place as ‘Western Azerbaijan’ on the territory of the Republic of Armenia,” the statement notes.
Regarding Azerbaijanis who lived in Soviet Armenia, the Ministry emphasizes that they left voluntarily during the final years of the USSR, selling or exchanging property or receiving compensation from the Armenian government. In contrast, Armenians in Azerbaijan, especially in Baku, Sumgait, and elsewhere, were subjected to pogroms and forced displacement—culminating in the 2023 mass exodus of over 115,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in what Armenia describes as ethnic cleansing.
The Ministry also expressed surprise at the misrepresentation of the Khojaly events in the declaration, stating that the true nature of crimes against humanity in the region is well-documented and contradicts the accusations directed at Armenia.
Yerevan lamented that the declaration deviated from previous OIC statements made earlier this year, including those encouraging the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Instead, the latest texts included unilateral language on preconditions, which Armenia sees as undermining that goal.
“We remind OIC member states that Armenia has repeatedly confirmed its readiness to sign the agreement without delay and has proposed starting consultations on the time and venue of signing,” the Ministry stated, urging partners to encourage Azerbaijan to do the same rather than raising artificial obstacles.
The statement further criticized a resolution on cultural heritage protection, saying it ignored the ongoing destruction of Armenian monuments in territories under Azerbaijani control. The resolution, according to Armenia, inappropriately frames the issue in religious terms, reinforcing misleading and dangerous narratives.
Armenia called on OIC member states to reconsider and withdraw support from biased initiatives that challenge Armenia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and that hinder the peace process.
“There is a real opportunity for peace in the South Caucasus,” the Ministry concluded. “However, actions like these by international organizations do not help realize that potential. Armenia remains committed to the peace agenda and expects constructive support from its international partners, including the OIC, toward establishing lasting and sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
