Expert in Azerbaijani studies:  "Western Azerbaijan" program is a  result of  Armenian authorities` policy on Artsakh issue

ArmInfo.  The introduction of the "Western Azerbaijan" program by the President of Azerbaijan is a result of the dangerous and erroneous policy of the current Armenian  authorities on the Artsakh issue, as stated by Tatevik Hayrapetyan,  expert in Azerbaijani studies,  on her Facebook. 

In this regard, she pointed out that this expression first appeared  in the public space in Prague, just two months after the recognition  of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan in December 2022. Hayrapetyan  recalled that in his speech, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev  stated: "Now that the Karabakh conflict has been resolved, this is an  issue on our agenda. Of course, it was premature to talk about this  before this conflict is resolved. But we should not waste time now."  According to Hayrapetyan, this statement clearly demonstrates that  Aliyev was then aware of the geopolitical risks of his assertion in  the context of broader expansionist ambitions. "Therefore, he  deliberately avoided discussing this issue until the final settlement  of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In May 2024, Malahat Ibrahim, MP  from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, confirmed that prematurely  raising the issue of "Western Azerbaijan" could complicate the  process of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He emphasized  that it was first necessary to "liberate" Stepanakert, so that  attention could then be shifted to the next goal," Hayrapetyan  mentioned. 

After studying textbooks for grades 5, 8 and 11, the  expert noted  that the "Western Azerbaijan" program began to be actively presented  in public school textbooks in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Additionally, she  emphasized that the only way out of the current situation is to  understand and prevent the existing dangers and risks emanating from  the enemy. "We all have a choice: to understand and prevent the  threats coming from the enemy, or to bury our heads in the sand,  creating a false reality about the seeming peace, and then face the  harsh truth. For me, the first option is preferable," the expert  concluded.