Representatives of Azerbaijan’s civil society have sent an open letter to U.S. Vice President JD Vance, urging support for the right of return of Western Azerbaijanis displaced from Armenia, ahead of his visit to Azerbaijan on 10 February.
In the letter addressed directly to JD Vance, the representatives said a lasting regional peace must address these humanitarian claims.
“Western Azerbaijanis harbor no territorial ambitions. Their goal is not to challenge sovereignty of Armenia, but to exercise the fundamental human right to return to one's roots in peace and dignity,” the letter said.
The authors also called on the U.S. administration to advocate for the protection and restoration of Azerbaijani cultural and religious heritage sites in Armenia.
The letter welcomed the Joint Declaration signed on 8 August, 2025, in Washington, describing it as a turning point toward lasting peace, and voiced support for the vision shared by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Your leadership and moral clarity can ensure that the ‘Peace of 2025’ becomes a permanent reality for every family in the Caucasus,” the statement said.
The authors highlighted Azerbaijan’s long-standing commitment to interfaith harmony, religious freedom and cultural coexistence.
“We write to you as representatives of a nation that has, for centuries, served as a bridge between civilizations. This is a land where the call to prayer and the ringing of church bells harmonise in a spirit of true coexistence.”
They described religious diversity as a pillar of social stability and pointed to Azerbaijan’s efforts to protect religious heritage both at home and abroad.
The appeal comes as U.S. Vice President prepares to visit Azerbaijan as part of a regional trip from 9 to 11 February, which also includes Armenia.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Baku, the visit marks the highest-level visit from the United States to Azerbaijan in many years and reflects a shared commitment to expanding cooperation and advancing peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
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