Armenia and Azerbaijan Begin Border Demarcation Following Prolonged Dispute

Armenia and Azerbaijan have commenced the demarcation of their shared border, marking a significant step towards resolving a longstanding territorial dispute between the two nations. On Tuesday, officials from both countries installed the first border marker, using Soviet-era maps as a reference for the demarcation process.

The border demarcation effort is a tangible outcome of Armenia's decision to hand over four disputed villages in Azerbaijan's Gazakh region, which had been under Armenian control since the early 1990s. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan acknowledged that these villages were not de jure part of Armenia, a decision that has attracted both praise and criticism.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed optimism about the prospects of a peace deal, stating that the two countries are closer than ever to reaching a common understanding. The demarcation process follows Azerbaijan's regaining of full control over the Karabakh province in 2020 and 2023, which led to a mass exodus of the region's Armenian population to Armenia.

The border demarcation agreement was reached during the eighth meeting of the state committees for border demarcation. Based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, the parties agreed to recognize and respect each other's territorial integrity and the inviolability of existing borders.

Why this matters: The border demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan represents a vital step towards establishing lasting peace and stability in the region. The resolution of the territorial dispute has the potential to encourage increased cross-border cooperation, trade, and economic development, benefiting both nations and their populations.

Despite the progress, challenges remain in the demarcation process, including a lack of trust between the two countries, the presence of landmines, and concerns from local communities about changes to transportation routes. As the first border marker was installed, Armenian sappers commenced demining the border areas to facilitate the handover of the villages to Azerbaijan.

The United States has welcomed the start of the delimitation process, viewing it as an important step towards a durable and dignified peace agreement. The bilateral agreement, reached without foreign mediators, demonstrates the ability of Armenia and Azerbaijan to address their issues independently through diplomatic channels.

Elchin Amirbayov, the Azerbaijani President's representative, expressed hope that these developments would dispel doubts about Azerbaijan's intentions and pave the way for further peaceful resolutions. However, he also highlighted several challenges that must be addressed, including inconsistencies in Armenia's legislation regarding territorial claims and the need for Armenia to cease its blockade of land connections between mainland Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Key Takeaways

• Armenia and Azerbaijan have commenced border demarcation using Soviet-era maps.
• Armenia handed over 4 disputed villages in Azerbaijan's Gazakh region.
• Border demarcation follows Azerbaijan's regaining control of Karabakh in 2020-23.
• Demarcation is a vital step towards lasting peace and regional cooperation.
• Challenges remain, including lack of trust, landmines, and transportation issues.