Dec 8, 2023 at 10:05 AM Update: 12 minutes ago
Armenia and Azerbaijan said in a rare joint statement that they will take steps to normalize mutual ties. They agreed to build trust. As part of this, a prisoner exchange takes place.
During the prisoner exchange, Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian soldiers, and Armenia releases 2 Azerbaijani soldiers. The think tank International Crisis Group called the prisoner exchange in a statement an “important prelude” to further humanitarian initiatives between the two countries.
The countries have been embroiled in a conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region for more than thirty years. The disputed territory officially belongs to Azerbaijan, but until a few months ago was under the control of ethnic Armenians.
Azerbaijan launched an offensive against separatists in September, who laid down their weapons after a day and agreed that Nagorno-Karabakh would fall under the government in Baku.
EU speaks of ‘huge breakthrough’
Azerbaijan’s victory appears to end a territorial dispute that has been the subject of two bloody wars. Azerbaijan and Armenia say a peace deal could be signed this year, although little progress has been made in negotiations.
The Crisis Group is hopeful that the aforementioned prisoner exchange can provide a basis for the smooth running of those negotiations. “This should ultimately result in peace and the normalization of relations between neighboring countries,” the think tank says.
Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, is late X know to welcome the “huge breakthrough” in relations between the two countries. He also encourages the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to conclude a peace deal as soon as possible.
Analyst Zaur Shiriyev of the Crisis Group previously told NU.nl that Azerbaijan is aiming for peace with Armenia, but without prying eyes. “Azerbaijan does not trust Western incentives for peace talks. They see too many threats and too few promises.”
Beeld: Getty Images
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2023-12-08 09:05:54
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