Ex-Artsakh minister: Azerbaijan focused on expansionist agenda

Former Artsakh Minister of Education, Science and Sports Narine Aghbalyan criticized ongoing peace efforts with Azerbaijan, calling them “illogical” in light of Baku’s continued hostility and territorial ambitions against Armenia.

"For over a century, Turkish and Azerbaijani authorities have pursued a policy of Armenophobia. The forced depopulation of Artsakh is a continuation of that genocidal policy," she told Panorama.am at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial on the Armenian Genocide anniversary on April 24.

The former minister cited historical atrocities, including the Sumgait and Maragha massacres, claiming that the current threats mirror those past acts of violence. Referring to Armenia’s pursuit of peace, she added, “The Armenian people are inherently peace-loving, but when faced with aggression, we must not only defend ourselves but strike back.”

Aghbalyan warned that Azerbaijan’s promotion of the “Western Azerbaijan” narrative signals new expansionist plans, questioning whether Armenia's leadership genuinely believes peace with Baku is achievable.