Armenian sovereignty threatened by Baku’s hybrid migration strategy

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s summer session, MP Armen Gevorgyan of Armenia’s “Hayastan” faction warned of Azerbaijan’s so‑called “migration scenario” and its attempts to undermine Armenian sovereignty. He stated that Baku continues to pursue an aggressive policy, promoting the idea of “Western Azerbaijan.” Back in 2022, Armenian authorities recognized Nagorno‑Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan—but that recognition did not bring peace. Instead, it became a basis for fresh territorial claims by Azerbaijan, reports Sputnik Armenia.

Gevorgyan emphasized: “This is not a humanitarian initiative, but a geopolitical plan aimed at the further annexation of Armenian territories under the pretext of ‘repatriating Azerbaijanis.’ It is not about human rights. It is an attempt—through a carefully strategized hybrid pressure—to undermine Armenia’s sovereignty, including demographic manipulation, historical reinterpretation, and infrastructure demands.”

He recalled that Turkic powers have executed similar ethno‑political initiatives in Northern Cyprus and parts of Northern Syria, and Armenia may be the next target.

He also noted that heightened tensions between Iran and Israel could serve as a pretext for Turkic groups to establish control over Armenia’s southern regions.

“Beyond the threat of military aggression, the so‑called ‘migration scenario’—which implies demographic penetration of southern Armenia under the guise of ethnic Turkic refugees—is becoming increasingly realistic. Through this calculated policy rather than warfare, Armenia’s sovereignty may be undermined,” the MP said, adding that the goal remains the same: to limit Armenia’s ability to exist as a sovereign, self‑determined state and to “resolve the Armenian question.”

He urged Europe to denounce Ilham Aliyev’s authoritarian regime—not just because of Azerbaijani gas, oil, or billions in investment.

“Europe directly participates in strengthening this regime, for example by actively supporting the COP29 conference in Baku—even after ethnic cleansing of Armenians and fake ‘presidential’ and ‘parliamentary’ elections,” he stressed. "Even more alarming was the recent announcement that the next European Political Community summit in 2028 would take place in Baku. There is a serious risk that Azerbaijan will use it to implement its ‘Western Azerbaijan’ agenda and legitimize the results on a European stage.”

He emphasized the urgent need to halt political rhetoric that threatens regional stability and harms prospects for peace.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia is deeply disappointed by the distorted and highly biased formulations in the Istanbul Declaration and Azerbaijan‑sponsored resolutions adopted during the latest ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” the MFA statement reads. “We urge the OIC member states that endorsed the declaration and resolutions to reconsider and decisively reject any biased initiatives that target Armenia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty or threaten the settlement process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

“Attention of OIC member states is drawn to the fact that the phrase ‘Western Azerbaijan’ under the guise of human rights represents a clear territorial claim by Azerbaijan on sovereign Armenian territory, which is even reflected in the charter of an artificially formed ‘organization.’ There is and cannot be such a thing as ‘Western Azerbaijan,’” the MFA added.