For the first time, there will be a demarcated state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the area of four villages. Prime Minister's staff

The Information and Public Relations Department of the Prime Minister's Office answered the written questions of "Armenpress".

Question: After the meeting held today, the commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the demarcation of the state border issued a joint press release, in which it is said that they have initially agreed on Baghanis of Armenia, Baghanis-Ayrum of Azerbaijan, Voskepar of Armenia, Ashagh Askipara of Azerbaijan, Kirants of Armenia, Kheyremli of Azerbaijan, Armenia Berkaber, the crossing of the border between the villages of Kizil Hajili, Azerbaijan. What does this mean:

Answer: The statement means that the two commissions reproduced on the map the borders between the above-mentioned villages that existed during the time of the Soviet Union, and in the next step, these borders should be clarified and expressed on the ground as well, and this will be an unprecedented event. for the first time between our countries, in the area of four villages, there will be a demarcated state border.

Question: Based on which year's maps is this process carried out?

Answer: The cartographic basis of the process is the most recent topographical maps with legal basis of the USSR period, which were compiled by bodies with such authority. The important detail is that according to the statement issued by the Commissions, the borders that existed at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union and have a legal basis are being restored. In other words, the borders that de jure existed between Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan. It is also important to record that the Commissions agreed that the entire process of border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, which is recorded as a fundamental principle of the border delimitation process. This principle should also be recorded in the Regulation of the Border Deregulation process, which will be agreed between the parties in the coming months and will undergo the necessary internal agreements, including the approval process in the parliament.

Question: Today's announcement also states that if a different fundamental principle different from the Alma-Ata Declaration is recorded in the Peace Treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Regulation of border demarcation will comply with that principle. Does this not constitute grounds for renouncing the Declaration of Alma-Ata?

Answer: No. The commissions simply noted that they are not a negotiating format for the Peace Treaty. That agreement is being negotiated in a different format and will have a higher status, after its entry into force, if it turns out that the Regulation is in conflict with a document of higher legal significance, it should be brought into line with it, because, let's repeat, the status of the Peace Agreement is much higher. The Alma-Ata declaration is fundamental for the regulation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and it has already been agreed upon at the highest level as a basic principle.

Question: The issue of enclaves/exclaves is also mentioned in the joint press release of the Border Delimitation Commissions, what does that mean?

Answer: The commissions agreed that after the approval of the Regulation, they will agree on the order of demarcation of the remaining sections of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border (that is, which sections of the border will be reproduced next) and in this context they will also address the issue of enclaves/exclaves. You know that the Republic of Armenia cannot refuse this issue, because Artsvashen is a part of the sovereign territory of our country. We are going to de jure justify the existence of the Artsvashen exclave/enclave in the demarcation process, and the RA government has such justifications, after which the actual demarcation process around Artsvashen will be carried out. What kind of political solution will the problem get after this protocol is another question. In the delimitation process, the existence of the exclave/enclaves must first be justified de jure.

Question: Actually, after the border demarcation, the armed forces will withdraw in the area of the four villages and give way to the border guard troops. When will this happen?

Answer: It will happen within a short but reasonable period of time without artificial delays.

Question: As a result of the process, are any villages in Armenia deprived of a road?

Answer: No. In the section of Kirants village, a few hundred meters section of the road outline will be changed, which is not a difficult job and will be implemented in a few months. But this is not the only way for Kirants. the Kirants-Acharkut-Ijevan road will be repaired, maybe rebuilt as well. We mean, Kirants also has an alternative road, and practically there are no significant problems.

Question: And Voskepar doesn't have road problems?

Answer: No. At this stage, areas that have the potential to cause such a problem are not delineated.

Question: As a result of this process of demarcation, Azerbaijan will come close to the villages of Kirants and Voskepar in a number of areas. How will the security of these villages be ensured?

Answer: First of all, let's record that Azerbaijan is still very close to those villages and they are under direct fire. Yes, as a result of this process, the border guard service of Azerbaijan will get closer to the villages of Kirants and Voskepar, but their villages and ours will be separated by a demarcated state border. This is a key factor, and let's not forget that border protection will be carried out by the border guards of the Republic of Armenia. However, there are many details of security, which will also be discussed and detailed in the near future.

Question: According to the described process, Azerbaijan receives 4 villages. What does Armenia get?

Answer: For the sake of accuracy, let's record that Azerbaijan receives two and a half villages belonging to it, because the entire territory of the village of Kizl Hajli, a significant part of the territory of the village of Ashagh Askipara was under the control of Azerbaijan. And in this process, the Republic of Armenia receives a reduction of security risks related to border demarcation. With today's event, as already mentioned above, we have a demarcated border with Azerbaijan for the first time, which can be described as a significant event. The Republic of Armenia also gets an active platform and an opportunity to organize the demarcation process in a civilized and legitimate way and to implement it, providing the necessary security, social and legal guarantees of the population.

Pictured is a map showing today's arrangements.