Armenia to Return Four Villages to Azerbaijan in Border Demarcation Agreement

Armenia agreed to return four villages occupied since the early 1990s to Azerbaijan during the eighth meeting of border demarcation commissions, according to Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada. The villages being returned are Baghanis Ayrim, Asagi Eskipara, Heyrimli, and Kizilhacili, which Armenia occupied during the First Karabakh War of 1988-1994.

The agreement was reached as part of the ongoing border demarcation process between the two countries and was welcomed by Türkiye as an important step towards a final peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The talks were held through direct negotiations between the two countries' border demarcation committees.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Yerevan and Baku to continue the delimitation and demarcation of the border, and welcomed the agreement reached on April 19 between the respective State Commissions. "The Secretary-General encouraged the parties to continue the delimitation and demarcation of the remaining sections of the border and tackle all outstanding bilateral issues towards achieving full normalisation of relations," a UN spokesperson said.

The initial stage will affect land areas between four villages in Armenia's Tavush Province and four abandoned villages that used to be part of Azerbaijan's Qazax district during Soviet times. The United States, European Union, and Germany praised the agreement as an important step towards a durable and lasting peace agreement between the two countries.

However, residents of the affected Armenian border villages in Tavush Province protested the deal, fearing it would deprive them of access to their farmlands and make them more vulnerable to Azerbaijani attacks. The Armenian government sought to address these concerns, stating that the border will be demarcated and protected by Armenian border guards.

Why this matters: The return of the four villages represents a significant step in the ongoing border demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has been a contentious issue since the early 1990s. The agreement could pave the way for further progress in normalizing relations between the two countries and achieving a comprehensive peace agreement in the region.

The UAE welcomed the agreement, with Minister of State Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh emphasizing that this positive development represents an important step towards a comprehensive peace agreement that would benefit both countries and their peoples, and fulfill their mutual interests, while achieving further prosperity and growth. The UAE also underscored its commitment to reinforcing peace and stability in the region, and the importance of building bridges, fostering cooperation, and resolving differences by peaceful means.

Key Takeaways

• Armenia agreed to return 4 villages to Azerbaijan in border demarcation process.
• The agreement was welcomed by Turkey, UN, US, EU, and Germany as a step towards peace.
• Residents of affected Armenian border villages protested the deal, fearing loss of farmlands.
• The UAE welcomed the agreement as an important step towards a comprehensive peace deal.
• The agreement could pave the way for further progress in normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.