Armenia has agreed to hand over four villages to Azerbaijan, marking a significant moment in the longstanding conflict between the two nations. This agreement was reached as Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan continues to navigate the path towards a comprehensive peace deal after decades of tension and two wars since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The decision involves the villages near the shared border, which have been under Armenian control since the early 1990s. According to Aykhan Hajizada, a spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this gesture by Armenia is a “long-awaited historic event.” The handover of these territories is seen as a critical step in reducing the risks associated with border security and delimitation issues.
The strategic importance of these villages lies in their proximity to Armenia’s main highway, which leads north to Georgia and is crucial for trade and energy supplies, including the pipeline that transports gas from Russia to Armenia.
This agreement was formalized during a meeting at the border, chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on border delimitation, with the aim of finalizing the geographical demarcation to prevent future conflicts. The move has been framed by both nations as a necessary compromise to foster peace and mutual understanding.
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