On May 29, Alen Simonyan stated that Azerbaijani goods would once again appear in Armenian markets and Armenian goods in Azerbaijani markets, reflecting pre-existing trade relations, and emphasized that Armenians and Azerbaijanis would live side by side, urging acceptance of this reality.
He acknowledged that some found his remarks about Armenians eventually returning to live in Baku difficult to accept but criticized former officials who fled Karabakh and labeled their supporters derogatorily.
Simonyan questioned why Armenians displaced from Karabakh would want to return to their homes, while those who lost their homes in the massacres in Baku or Sumgait were denied that right. He stressed that after peace is concluded, Armenia should trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan instead of closing its borders.
He also pointed out that thousands of Armenians currently trade in Georgia, Russia, and other countries, while many in Karabakh sold assets such as cognac and hydroelectric power plants amid recent events. He asked rhetorically whether Armenia should remain blockaded, with no transport, cargo, gas, or electricity passing through its territory.