Azerbaijan Regains Control of Four Villages in Milestone Border Agreement with Armenia

In a significant development towards peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azerbaijan has regained control of four uninhabited villages in the Gazakh district. The transfer, totaling 6.5 square kilometers, marks a milestone in the border delimitation process between the two countries.

The villages of Baganis Ayrim, Ashagi Askipara, Kheyrimli, and Gizilhajili were officially handed over to Azerbaijan on May 24, 2024, after being under Armenian occupation for 30 years. This transfer follows an agreement reached on April 19, 2024, by the Azerbaijani-Armenian border delimitation commissions.

Why this matters:

This milestone agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia marks a significant step towards peace and stability in the region, with potential implications for other border disputes. The successful delimitation of the border could pave the way for further diplomatic resolutions and improved relations between the two countries.

The implementation of the agreement has determined a 12.7 km long border line. The Azerbaijani State Border Service has taken control of these territories, marking a new era of mutual recognition and respect for state borders between the two nations.

This event represents the first mutually recognized delimitation of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The peaceful return of the four villages underscores a pivotal step towards ensuring Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The success of the delimitation process, conducted without intermediaries, highlights the effectiveness of official Baku's proposals for direct peace talks and border negotiations. Azerbaijan's logical and fair approach has paved the way for this agreement, fostering an atmosphere of trust between the two countries.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described the land transfer as *"yet another victory"* for his country. This achievement is a testament to the strategic and diplomatic initiatives led by President Aliyev, whose leadership has significantly shaped Azerbaijan's foreign policy.

The agreement was negotiated by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and his Armenian counterpart Mher Grigoryan. Despite the progress, the Azerbaijani army will not withdraw from nearby land belonging to several villages in Armenia's Tavush province, which it has occupied since the 1990s.

Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) confirmed the completion of the first land transfer, with another sensitive border area to be handed over to Baku by July 24. The area to be handed over in July is located in and around Kirants, one of the four Tavush villages affected by the Armenian withdrawal.

Local residents have protested the land transfer, citing concerns about the proximity of their community to the new Azerbaijani border posts. The roads leading to Kirants were blocked by security forces on May 19, and a protest camp in Kirants was cleared by security forces on May 2.

The peaceful return of the four villages and the ongoing negotiations over other sensitive border areas illustrate the potential for future diplomatic resolutions of undelimited segments of the border. This agreement sets a precedent for further negotiations and highlights the importance of mutual recognition and respect for state borders.

Key Takeaways

• Azerbaijan regains control of 4 uninhabited villages in Gazakh district from Armenia.
• The transfer marks a milestone in the border delimitation process between the two countries.
• The agreement sets a precedent for further negotiations and mutual recognition of state borders.
• The Azerbaijani State Border Service has taken control of the 12.7 km long border line.
• The peaceful return of the villages underscores a pivotal step towards ensuring Azerbaijan's sovereignty.