Azerbaijanis Can Only Be Considered Part of the Artsakh Community When They Come and Become Citizens of Artsakh, Tevan Poghosyan

Yes, an Azerbaijani by nationality can settle in Artsakh, but there is a process. If they are a citizen of another country, they must renounce that citizenship, apply to the President of Artsakh, and go through the procedure to obtain citizenship. This was stated by Tevan Poghosyan, President of the International Center for Human Development and adviser to the President of Armenia, during a conversation with reporters today, February 8.

"On top of their application, they need to address it to the President of Artsakh, Bako Sahakyan, request to become a citizen of the Republic of Artsakh. They must submit all necessary documents, and in the end, take an exam in the Armenian language. If they pass all the procedures, they can obtain citizenship. Now, if they go through all of this and receive Artsakh citizenship, they can live wherever they want. Many citizens of Artsakh are living in Armenia today," he said.

"Generally, when the topic of the Azerbaijani community in Artsakh is presented as a factor, I say that they can only be considered a community when they come, become citizens of Artsakh, and then go to live in Azerbaijan with those passports. They hold Azerbaijani citizenship, they are their citizens, so what community? We need to close the topic because Azerbaijan is working on this very impulsively in the information war," said Tevan Poghosyan, adding that the issue of Artsakh will not be resolved in some negotiation rooms; it will be solved by properly performing our homework, strengthening both economically and militarily.