Armenia & Azerbaijan to Establish Delimited State Border in Tavush Four-Village Section, Pashinyan's Office Confirms

Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached an agreement on the delimitation of their state border. For the first time, a delimited border will be established between the two nations, particularly in the sections involving four villages. The Information and Public Relations Department of the Prime Minister's Office provided exclusive responses to written questions from "Armenpress," sharing further details on the agreements and the implications for both countries.

Understanding the Agreements:

The joint statement issued by the commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan outlines the preliminary agreements reached during the meeting. These agreements focus on the delineation of the border between specific villages, namely Baghanis (Armenia) - Baghanis Ayrum (Azerbaijan), Voskepar (Armenia) - Ashagh Askipara (Azerbaijan), Kirants (Armenia) - Khairemli (Azerbaijan), and Berkaber (Armenia) - Qizilhachili (Azerbaijan). The commissions have reproduced the borders between these villages as they existed during the Soviet Union era, with plans to clarify and express them on the ground in the subsequent steps.

Cartographic Basis and Legal Framework:

The cartographic basis for this process relies on the topographical maps from the Soviet Union period. These maps are proving the foundation for restoring the borders that existed at the time of the Soviet Union's collapse. The commissions have affirmed their commitment to the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration as the fundamental principle guiding the border delimitation process. This principle will also be incorporated into the Regulation of the border liberalization process, which is set to undergo internal approval processes, including parliamentary approval, in the coming months.

Addressing Enclaves and Exclaves:

The issue of enclaves and exclaves was also addressed in the joint statement. The commissions agreed to determine the order of delimitation for the remaining sections of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, including the resolution of enclave/exclave issues. Notably, Armenia emphasized the importance of substantiating the existence of enclaves/exclaves in the delimitation process before addressing their political resolution.

Ensuring Security and Infrastructure:

Concerns regarding security and infrastructure were also addressed. Despite Azerbaijan's increased proximity to villages like Kirants and Voskepar, Armenia assures that border protection will be carried out by Armenian border guards. Plans for ensuring the security of these villages and maintaining road infrastructure are in progress, with reassurances that villages will not be deprived of road access.

Significance for Armenia:

While Azerbaijan gains control over certain territories, Armenia views these agreements as reducing security risks and providing an opportunity for a legitimate and civilized border delimitation process. The delimited border represents a significant milestone in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, offering a platform for organized and secure border management.