Returning of displaced persons back to Azerbaijan part of talks

The issue of returning of displaced Armenians back to their homes in Azerbaijan is part of negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group talks. This was confirmed Thursday by an Azerbaijan government official Chingyz Asgarov, who spoke to the European Court on Human Rights.  

When asked during the hearing on the case “Mr Sargsyan against Azerbaijan” by Judge Alvina Gyulumian whether the issue of returning of displaced persons is included on the agenda of talks [on settlement to the Karabakh conflict], Azerbaijani official said “yes.”

It’s worth mentioning that as soon as the question had been voiced a curious case happened. After Alvina Gyulumian’s question some hurly-burly spread among the group of lawyers and one of them turned back to Chingyz Asgarov to hold consultations. A several minute silence ensued and finally the lawyer tried to respond to the question. However, his thick speech was interrupted by Chingyz Asgarov who tried to deliver an own answer.

First of all, he acknowledged that the Armenian refugees have rights to return back and then he confirmed that the issue is put on the agenda of current stage of talks. However, an Azerbaijani official made an absurd statement. He said that as Armenia is setting to refer to the issue of refugees following claims to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh by the international community, then Azerbaijan proposes that Azerbaijani refugees to return back to Armenia first and then other issues will be considered.

Since September 15, the European Court on Human Rights has been holding hearings on the case “Mr Chyragov and Co against Armenia.”