Agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia: Final stage in peace talks

Giving an interview to journalists within the scope of the 12th Global Baku Forum, Bayramov announced that 'work on the text of the peace agreement has been completed.' Expressing that Armenia has also accepted the 2 articles that could not be agreed upon previously, Bayramov argued that the OSCE Minsk Group has lost its function and should be dissolved.

The Armenian army's escalation of attacks against civilians on September 27, 2020, and its shelling of villages on the contact line with heavy weapons led Azerbaijan to launch a counter-operation. In the 44-day war, the Azerbaijani army announced that it had liberated 5 cities, 4 towns, and 286 villages from occupation. It was announced that 2,908 Azerbaijani soldiers were martyred in the war, while 94 civilians also lost their lives.

Armenia accepted defeat following the liberation of Shusha on November 8, 2020. The war ended with the trilateral statement signed between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia on November 10, 2020. In accordance with the statement, the Armenian army evacuated the Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts. Azerbaijan declared November 8, the day Shusha was liberated, as 'Victory Day'.

Following the war, Azerbaijan announced that it had begun comprehensive reconstruction efforts in the liberated regions. It was noted that reconstruction work has begun in the regions destroyed during the war with 'smart city' and 'smart village' concepts. While international airports were established in Fuzuli and Zangilan, it was learned that the construction of a new airport in Lachin is ongoing. Azerbaijan stated that it has invested over 10 billion dollars for the restructuring of the region.

ARMENIAN FORCES CLEARED FROM THE REGION

Azerbaijani officials reported that illegal Armenian forces continued their attacks in Karabakh after the Second Karabakh War. Azerbaijan announced that it launched an 'anti-terror operation' on September 19, 2023, to ensure constitutional order in the region. It was claimed that at the end of the 24-hour operation, Armenian forces laid down their arms and abandoned their positions. It was reported that full Azerbaijani sovereignty was established in Karabakh following the clashes.

It was reported that thousands of families have been settled in houses built in Zangilan, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Shusha, and Lachin. The Azerbaijani government noted that 140 thousand people will be settled in the region by 2026.

Azerbaijan stated that it had proposed peace negotiations to Armenia after the war. In the talks conducted by the foreign ministries of the two countries, it was informed that an agreement had been reached on approximately 80 percent of the text of the agreement. The parties continue their negotiations on the remaining issues.

News Source: 12punto