The Demarcation and Delimitation Process Enters Practical Phase: We Must Not Allow War to Start, Says Pashinyan

The demarcation and delimitation process enters a practical phase: we must not allow war to start. This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a meeting in Voskepar with residents of Voskepar, Baghanis, and nearby communities. He also clarified why the issue is being discussed specifically in Voskepar with its residents.

“As we previously agreed, I said that when there are practical issues related to your locality, I will come and discuss them personally with you. The problem is that the demarcation and delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan is entering a practical phase. This means going and identifying on the ground where the Republic of Armenia starts. We all know, and you know better than I do, where the Republic of Armenia begins and ends, and I recently demonstrated this,” he stated.

The essence of the delimitation and demarcation process is that our commissions need to go on-site and determine where the Republic of Armenia begins, which should become the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The report states that we see that the practical opportunity for starting the delimitation and demarcation process can be realized in this segment between Baghanis and Berkaber.

Azerbaijan is raising claims about four villages, about four non-enclaved villages. Meanwhile, we are raising issues about 31 villages. Even if we have 31 problematic localities, they have fewer than that. Azerbaijan uses the argument that none of the residential areas of Armenian localities are under its control. This means that the residential area of the village is not under Azerbaijani control, and they say let's mutually liberate the residential areas of the localities, and then we will discuss the vital territories of the villages.

Of course, we counter this by stating that a village is not just its municipal office; the village also includes vital areas. During these discussions, we present all the just arguments. We must not allow war to start, and this is also the reason we have decided to go to clarify the borders of the Republic of Armenia in these areas. We do this not only for the sake of Armenia but also specifically for the village of Voskepar, for their security,” he concluded.