Progress on Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Dispute
In a significant development, the longstanding border dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan has seen a breakthrough. According to Aykhan Hajizada, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Armenia has consented to the return of four border villages that have been under Armenian control since the early 1990s. This move is being hailed as a “long-awaited historic event” and marks a pivotal step towards resolving tensions that have persisted for over thirty years.
The announcement came after a meeting chaired by the deputy prime ministers of both nations. The Armenian Foreign Ministry confirmed that a preliminary agreement on four sections of the disputed border had been reached, signaling a potential thaw in relations. For Azerbaijan, the transfer of these villages is more than a symbolic gesture; it is seen as an essential condition for any lasting peace deal to conclude the protracted conflict that has roots in their shared history as former Soviet republics.
The conflict, which has led to two major wars, saw a dramatic turn last September when Azerbaijani forces conducted a swift offensive to reclaim the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This area had been under ethnic Armenian control, enjoying a de facto independence since the mid-1990s. The recent agreement on the border villages suggests that both Armenia and Azerbaijan are now taking concrete steps towards a more peaceful coexistence.
While the full details of the agreement are yet to be disclosed, the move has been welcomed by international observers who see it as a positive sign for regional stability. The return of the border villages is not only a significant milestone for Azerbaijan but also an opportunity for both nations to forge a path towards reconciliation and cooperation.
