Armenia Agrees to Return Villages to Azerbaijan in Milestone Peace Deal

Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached a historic agreement, marking a significant milestone in their efforts to establish peace following years of conflict.

Return of Villages

The agreement entails the return of several villages from Armenia to Azerbaijan, which had been under occupation since the early 1990s. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry described this as a "long-awaited historic event," emphasizing the importance of this gesture in the path towards reconciliation.

Reduction in Risks

Armenia, on the other hand, highlighted the benefits it would receive from this process. The reduction in risks associated with border delimitation and security was emphasized by the prime minister's office, signaling a positive development for both nations.

Strategic Significance

The villages, though currently deserted, hold strategic significance due to their proximity to Armenia's main trade route and the pipeline through which it receives gas from Russia. The handover of these villages signifies a crucial step in the stabilization of the region.

Meeting and Demarcation

The agreement was reached during a meeting chaired by the deputy prime ministers of both countries. It was clarified that the actual handover involved "two and a half villages", with Azerbaijan already having partial control over the settlements. The demarcation of the border was underlined as a significant event in this process of reconciliation.

Shift in Momentum

The conflict, which has spanned over three decades and has largely centered on the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum last September when Azerbaijani forces conducted a successful offensive to regain control of the area. The extensive population of 100,000 people in the region fled to Armenia within days.

International Involvement

International involvement in the peace process has been notable, with Russia playing a key role and the United States and the European Union actively pressing for a peace deal between the two nations. With Russia beginning to withdraw its peacekeeping troops from Nagorno-Karabakh, the forthcoming meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin holds additional significance.