Armenia Agrees to Return Villages to Azerbaijan in Milestone Peace Deal
Armenia Agrees to Return Villages to Azerbaijan in Milestone Peace Deal
Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached a significant milestone in their pursuit of a peace deal, with Armenia agreeing to return several villages to Azerbaijan. This development comes after two wars between the two countries since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Aykhan Hajizada, announced on social media that Armenia would be returning four villages near the shared border that had been under occupation since the early 1990s. This move is being hailed as a “long-awaited historic event.”
Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s office confirmed the handover, stating that it would reduce risks associated with border delimitation and security. While Azerbaijan already partly controlled the settlements involved, the demarcation of the border is seen as a significant event.
These villages, although deserted, hold strategic importance as they are located close to Armenia’s main highway leading to the border with Georgia. This highway is crucial for Armenia’s trade, including the transportation of gas received from Russia through a pipeline.
The agreement was reached at a meeting chaired by the deputy prime ministers of both countries. The commissions also agreed on determining the border along Azerbaijan’s Gazakh province. The line is set to pass through the villages of Baganis-Baghanis Ayrum, Voskepar-Asagi Eskipara, Kirants-Heyrimli, and Berkaber-Kizilhacili. This means that Armenia will be returning these villages to Azerbaijan, which were occupied during the first Karabakh war of 1988-1994.
Azerbaijan has long demanded the return of these villages as a condition for a peace deal after decades of conflict, primarily centered on the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In September, Azerbaijan’s forces launched a successful offensive to regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to the displacement of the entire population to Armenia.
The withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh, announced this week, adds another dimension to the evolving situation. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting Russia’s interest in maintaining influence in the Caucasus region.
This agreement marks a significant step towards peace and stability in the region, but there are still many challenges to overcome. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan must continue their efforts to build trust and find lasting solutions to the long-standing conflicts.
