Letters | Azerbaijan must prioritise reconciliation in Karabakh region
- Readers discuss Azerbaijan’s actions in an enclave in the Caucasus, and the visit by a delegation of US senators to China
I would urge Azerbaijan to empathise with the concerns and fears of ethnic Armenian residents. Some mistakenly assumed that these residents would welcome Azerbaijani forces as liberators. However, the mass exodus witnessed on the Lachin corridor serves as compelling evidence of their apprehension. Without a genuine understanding of these fears, taking the appropriate actions needed for reconciliation will be challenging.
Second, it is imperative that ethnic Armenian residents are treated with genuine humanity. Addressing immediate humanitarian needs, such as medical care, is of utmost importance to reassure the remaining residents.
In the long term, Baku should work towards fostering a sense of unity among Azerbaijan’s citizens, encouraging them not to perceive their ethnic Armenian compatriots as adversaries. This will help reduce mistrust among the Armenian population in the region.
The administration of Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, has promised to respect the rights of Armenian residents. I hope Baku will honour these pledges.