Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal Does Not Include Return of Forcibly Displaced Armenians of Artsakh: FM Mirzoyan

The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has sparked significant controversy after Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan confirmed that it does not include any provisions for the return of displaced people to their homes. Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday, Mirzoyan stated that the document does not guarantee the right of individuals who lived in the territories of both countries until the collapse of the Soviet Union and then left those territories to return to their homes, or to the territories where their ancestors lived. 

The statement has caused deep disappointment among Armenians, particularly those forcibly displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) following Azerbaijan’s full occupation of the region in September 2023. Over 120,000 ethnic Armenians forcibly fled their homes, seeking refuge in Armenia and beyond. Many had hoped that a peace agreement would include provisions allowing them to return safely to their homeland.

However, Mirzoyan’s remarks suggest that such a return is not part of the current negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

A reporter from Artsakh directly confronted Mirzoyan, asking, "Who gave you the right to close the chapter on Artsakh?" Mirzoyan defended the government’s position, insisting that they did not officially dissolve Nagorno-Karabakh. "I did not sign the document dissolving Nagorno-Karabakh," he stated. "As a matter of fact, Pashinyan, myself, and our party were trying to find solutions."

On March 13, Armenia and Azerbaijan jointly announced that they were ready to sign a peace agreement. The announcement was met with strong reactions both in Armenia and within the global Armenian diaspora. Many view the agreement as a concession to Azerbaijan, given that it does not address the rights of displaced Armenians.

For those who were forced to leave their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh, the lack of a guaranteed right to return is seen as a betrayal. Many refugees have struggled to rebuild their lives in Armenia, facing economic hardship, housing shortages, and uncertainty about their future.

The question of Artsakh’s future remains unresolved despite the Armenian government’s position. Thousands of displaced Armenians continue to demand their right to return to their historic lands. But Mirzoyan’s statement suggests that, under the current framework, this possibility is not on the table.

The Armenian government’s approach to the peace deal will likely remain a heated topic of debate, with many questioning whether the agreement truly serves the best interests of the Armenian people. 

For now, the dream of returning to their indigenous homeland appears further away than ever for many Armenians.