Washington D.C, 4 July 2023 (TDI): US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken holds talks between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in hopes of drafting a peace agreement. Points of the discussion were the post-conflict situations and the ability to establish peace in the territory.
The Major conflict between the two states is mainly about the geopolitical rivalry over the area of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is within Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized boundaries.
However, it is inhabited by tens of thousands of native Armenians. The conflict has risen when Azerbaijan made a roadblock along the Lachin Corridor.
This corridor is the Route that connects Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
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Nagorno-Karabakh has proclaimed independence to reunite with Armenia. The statement is one of the causes of this conflict, which has resulted in deaths and relocations, immigration of many people.
In 2020, a second conflict broke out, killing thousands and displacing many. This time, Azerbaijan reclaimed much of the land and its surroundings, aided by Turkish and Israeli assault drones.
Moscow, Armenia’s long-time defender, has mediated a cease-fire and sent 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the area.
There have been clashes in March and April, the worst after last year’s September when Azerbaijan murdered 105 military personnel and Armenia killed 71 of the Azerbaijanis.
History of Nagorno-Karabakh region
Nagorno-Karabakh, frequently referred to as Artsakh among Armenians comprises an area of hills in the southern Caucasus.
Since 1917, the Russian Empire has been a source of contention.
The area is recognized globally as an autonomous region of oil-rich Azerbaijan, yet its residents are primarily ethnic Armenians with their administration.
It has maintained close ties with the government of neighboring Armenia but is not formally recognized through it or additional UN member nations.
Armenian Christians claim a lengthy history of supremacy in the region that dates back many centuries before Christ.
Azerbaijan, whose people are primarily Muslim, also connects its ancient heritage to the region. However, the country accuses Armenians of forcibly displacing Azeris who resided nearby in the course of the 1990s.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan seizes complete control of the enclave and has suggested that ethnic Armenians either obtain Azeri passports or leave.
