Threats from Baku: hidden side of Aliyev’s statement – Karen Igityan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent remarks concern Armenia’s state sovereignty, historical narratives, and regional communications, Caucasus expert Karen Igityan said in an interview with AlphaNews.

“Aliyev spoke positively about Nikol Pashinyan’s concept of the ‘real Armenia,’ interpreting it as a renunciation of historical claims. Regarding the ‘Zangezur corridor,’ Aliyev said that the project would be implemented in any case, regardless of wording. This approach implies that Armenia will not exercise full control over that route,” the expert said.

At the same time, Aliyev claimed that de facto peace already exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan, referring to the ongoing petroleum supplies between the two countries. According to Igityan, this cooperation was shaped by a political decision and does not stem from natural economic processes.

“Considering that Azerbaijan is promoting the narrative of ‘Western Azerbaijan’ and advancing an agenda with territorial implications, past experience shows that in such circumstances de facto peace may prove unstable,” Igityan noted.