Azerbaijan and Armenia Sign Protocol Delimiting Border, Returning Villages to Azerbaijan

On April 19, 2024, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a protocol that marked a significant step in their ongoing border delimitation process. The agreement delineated a 12.7-kilometer border stretch, leading to the return of four occupied villages in the Gazakh region to Azerbaijan.

This agreement marks a significant step in the ongoing border delimitation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with potential implications for regional stability and security. The transfer of control and territorial changes may lead to further tensions and concerns among local residents and the broader geopolitical landscape.

The transfer of control was completed on May 25, 2024, when Azerbaijani border guards took up positions in the newly delineated areas. Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev announced that Azerbaijan had regained a total of 6.5 square kilometers of territory that was previously occupied by Armenian forces in 1991-1992.

Despite this development, the Azerbaijani army will not withdraw from the occupied land in Armenia's Tavush province in return for the Armenian territorial concessions. This decision has sparked concerns among local residents in the affected areas.

Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) confirmed the completion of the first land transfer, which Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described as "yet another victory" for his country. The protocol stipulates that another, more sensitive border area will be handed over to Baku by July 24, 2024. This area is located in and around Kirants, one of the four Tavush villages affected by the Armenian withdrawal.

The land transfer has significant implications for the local residents. Kirants will lose much of its agricultural land, several houses, and a bridge connecting it to the rest of Armenia. This proximity to the new Azerbaijani border posts has prompted protests and raised concerns about the safety of the residents.

The timeline of events highlights the rapid progression of the border delimitation process. The protocol was signed on April 19, 2024, followed by the transfer of control on May 25, 2024. The next significant date is July 24, 2024, when another border area will be handed over to Baku.

This agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia represents a critical moment in their bilateral relations, with significant territorial and human impacts. As the process continues, the focus will remain on how these changes affect the local populations and the broader geopolitical landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a border delimitation protocol on April 19, 2024.
• The agreement returned 4 occupied villages in Gazakh region to Azerbaijan.
• Azerbaijan regained 6.5 sq km of territory previously occupied by Armenia.
• Another border area will be handed over to Baku by July 24, 2024.
• The land transfer has significant implications for local residents and regional stability.