History meeting between representative of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Azerbaijan at Yevlakh city
The historical meeting took place on September 21st in Yevlakh city, with representatives from Azerbaijan and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) convening under Russian mediation. The focal point of this meeting was the presentation of a reintegration plan aimed at the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh. This initiative sought to explore potential avenues for the Armenian population to reintegrate into Azerbaijan, offering a response to the challenges presented by recent developments.
Continuing the diplomatic discourse, Azerbaijani authorities and ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh have agreed to further discussions following their initial talks. The Azerbaijani delegation presented a comprehensive blueprint for the integration of Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijan. Central to this approach is the restoration of infrastructure and the structuring of activities in alignment with Azerbaijan’s constitution and legal framework. In a humanitarian gesture, Azerbaijan also committed to providing emergency food and fuel to Karabakh Armenians, demonstrating a commitment to addressing immediate humanitarian needs.
“Issues of reintegration of the Armenian population of Karabakh, restoration of infrastructure and organization of activities based on the constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan were discussed,”
Azerbaijani delegation statement after the meeting with Karabakh Armenians in the Azerbaijani town of Yevlakh
Simultaneously, the Armenian government and Nagorno-Karabakh representatives have engaged in discussions concerning humanitarian affairs, including the potential evacuation of Nagorno-Karabakh residents if the situation necessitates. While the Armenian government emphasizes the priority of ensuring a secure and dignified life for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians within their homeland, preparations for various contingencies are actively underway. Decisions regarding evacuation will be guided by the evolving situation and discussions involving Azerbaijan and Russian peacekeepers.
In a move to accommodate displaced individuals, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan initiated measures to create a working group dedicated to receiving, accommodating, and providing living conditions for those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. Practical steps have been taken, including the reservation of hotel rooms and the preparation of facilities, with accommodations made available for up to 40,000 families.
In a separate news, tragedy struck the region when Ivan Kovgan, the deputy commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, lost his life due to an Azerbaijani attack. The incident occurred as a UAZ vehicle of the Russian peacekeeping forces became the target of this attack, underscoring the persistent challenges in the region.
In response to this tragic event, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin, extending apologies and expressing deep condolences regarding the attack on Russian peacekeepers. Both leaders agreed on the need to intensify negotiations in accordance with trilateral agreements from 2020-2022. These negotiations prioritize unblocking transport links, delimiting the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, and the preparation of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan. Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.
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