Forum on return of Azerbaijanis planned near Meghri days after elections, Strong Armenia says

Narek Karapetyan, a senior member of the Strong Armenia party, has raised concerns over a planned forum in Nakhchivan dedicated to the issue of Azerbaijanis returning to Armenia, saying the event is scheduled less than two weeks after the country's June 7 vote.

Karapetyan told reporters that Azerbaijan has increasingly focused its foreign policy efforts on the "return of Azerbaijanis to Armenia."

He said a large forum on the topic is set to take place in Ordubad, a district in Nakhchivan located about 10 kilometers from the Armenian border town of Meghri.

"The most notable and troubling aspect of this is that a major forum on the return of Azerbaijanis is scheduled just 11 days after the elections," Karapetyan said. "It is being held in Ordubad, Nakhchivan, only 10 kilometers from Meghri."

According to Karapetyan, Azerbaijan intensified its efforts on the issue after securing transport links through Armenia's southern Syunik Province.

He also claimed that the Azerbaijani authorities envision security structures that would provide protection for returning Azerbaijanis.