BAKU — Ahead of a visit to Yerevan by a delegation led by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, reports circulated in Russian and Armenian media suggesting that the purpose of the visit was to prepare for the resettlement of 300,000 Azerbaijanis to Armenia and a similar number of Armenians to Azerbaijan.
Responding to these claims, the Azerbaijani outlet Bakı-xeber dismissed them as inaccurate.
According to the publication, there is neither a legal basis nor the necessary socio-political conditions for the resettlement of 300,000 Azerbaijanis. It noted that approximately 250,000–300,000 Azerbaijanis and their descendants were displaced from Armenia between 1988 and 1991.
While Azerbaijan raises the issue of their right of return on international platforms, it emphasizes that this refers to a voluntary, safe, and dignified return—not forced resettlement.
The report also stated that claims regarding the resettlement of 300,000 Armenians to Azerbaijan are exaggerated. According to United Nations data, approximately 100,000–120,000 Armenians were displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, with some having since relocated to third countries.
It further clarified that ongoing mutual visits by delegations are focused on advancing a peace agreement, border delimitation, reopening communications, and addressing humanitarian issues.
The outlet emphasized that any sensitive topic such as population return or exchange would require high-level discussions, public statements, and international mediation. To date, no such plan has been officially announced by Baku, Yerevan, or international mediators.
The report concluded that such narratives may be circulated to test public opinion, influence negotiations, or send political messages to domestic audiences, noting that the figure of 300,000 appears symbolic and intended to suggest a “one-for-one” exchange scenario, which does not reflect reality.
