In September 2023, two former Soviet republics in the Caucasus region engaged in a conflict over control of the Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan launched an attack that allowed it to regain control of the region and expel Armenian separatists, forcing over 100,000 people to flee to Armenia. On Friday, Armenia returned four border towns to Azerbaijan that it controlled in the 1990s, signaling a move towards normalizing relations between the two rival countries after years of disputes and wars.
Despite sparking protests in Armenia, this step is seen as a significant development towards achieving a comprehensive peace agreement that has eluded the two nations for decades. The decision by the Armenian Prime Minister has sparked anti-government protests in the country, with thousands of demonstrators, led by prominent figures, demanding his resignation. However, both countries have expressed the importance of this agreement in enhancing security, stability, and sovereignty in the region.
The return of these villages to Azerbaijan holds strategic significance for landlocked Armenia as they overlook a vital highway leading to Georgia. While some nearby residents fear isolation from the rest of the country due to this agreement, Armenia’s Prime Minister has assured that new roads will be built in the region in the coming months. This recent agreement on border demarcation requires Armenia to cede villages to Azerbaijan, with Armenian security services confirming that their border guards have been relocated to new positions in the east of the country.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister announced that Baku has assumed control of the four towns returned by Armenia, marking a step towards establishing a lasting peace agreement between the countries. Despite ongoing controversies surrounding this conflict and its impact on neighboring regions, both nations are hopeful that this agreement will pave way for lasting peace and stability in their respective borders.
In conclusion, while there may be some controversy surrounding this move by Armenia towards normalizing relations with Azerbaijan through returning four border towns they controlled for years ago
