Armenia rejects Azerbaijan’s “genocide” allegations, calls for end to hostile narratives

Armenia has dismissed as false recent accusations by Azerbaijan alleging that “Armenian groups” carried out “genocide” against Azerbaijanis in 1918, urging an end to longstanding hostile narratives. In a statement released on March 31, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the allegations, prompting a response from Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan.

Badalyan said in comments to Armenpress that such claims are part of “hostile and unfounded narratives” that have developed over decades of conflict and continue to be used in Azerbaijan, including at the state level.

“We hope that the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan will not only contribute to stable, peaceful coexistence and the development of good-neighborly relations between the two states and societies, but will also put an end to fabricated claims and eliminate hate speech,” she said.

The spokesperson also pointed to commitments made by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, recalling an agreement reached in Washington. According to Badalyan, the declaration signed on August 8, 2025, includes a provision emphasizing the intention to close the chapter of hostility between the two peoples and to move toward building good-neighborly relations following years of conflict.

Badalyan underscored that advancing peace should go hand in hand with abandoning divisive rhetoric and fostering mutual understanding between the two societies.