Your trusted source

The Azerbaijani authorities are working on a scheme to capture Armenia without war, says South Caucasus geopolitics expert Anzhela Elibegova.

"The official concept on the resettling of Azerbaijanis in Armenia (which, incidentally, was publicized a few days ago and is available in open sources), states that the security of Azerbaijanis in Armenian territory should be ensured by forces from reliable and friendly countries through a relevant mandate,” she wrote on Facebook on Friday.

“The country’s experts have revealed that it refers to Turkish troops. Official meetings have already been held with Turkish officials. The Turkish ambassador has visited the office of the "community”. Turkey has already issued statements supporting the plan,” the expert said.

According to the Azerbaijani authorities, not only those who were born in Armenia but also their descendants are entitled to repatriation and their registration has already started as part of a state program, Elibegova said, adding several hundreds of thousands are its beneficiaries at this point. “There is no such official program for the Armenians who fled their homes in Azerbaijan. Moreover, the Armenians who escaped the pogroms are not inclined to return and live in the territory of an enemy state.

“And Azerbaijan not only has a plan to seize Armenia's territory without war, but also they have already started working on it through long-term programs in the diplomatic, legal, propaganda, political, scientific and other spheres,” she said.