Aliyev tells Azeris to use "original Azerbaijani names" for Armenian towns

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has made fresh false historical claims against Armenia, charging that certain regions and settlements in Armenia should be called by their "original Azerbaijani names", Caspian News reports.

Aliyev has claimed on numerous occasions that Yerevan, the province of Syunik and Lake Sevan in Armenia are all "Azerbaijan's historic lands". Back in April, while claiming that his statements didn't mean Azerbaijan had territorial claims against Armenia, he did say "we'll return there, why not?"

Visiting Nagorno-Karabakh areas that fell under Baku's control during the 44-day war in late 2020, Aliyev told reporters and urged the public on Monday, August 23 to use "original names" when referring to the "historical Azerbaijani regions and settlements located in present-day Armenia".

“Basarkechar district is called Vardenis in Armenia, but the actual name of this district is Basarkechar, Goycha region, ancient Azerbaijani land,” Aliyev said speaking about areas surrounding Lake Sevan in Gegharkunik. "I ask that the name Basarkechar, not Vardenis, be restored to our general lexicon when reports are prepared from this region of Azerbaijan."