I am Confident That Azerbaijani Forces Will Withdraw from Gegharkunik After Demarcation: Governor

Following the demarcation carried out in the Gegharkunik region, the Azerbaijani forces will withdraw from that territory. This confidence was expressed by the Governor of Gegharkunik, Karen Sargsyan, in a conversation with journalists at the National Assembly.

“If demarcation is to be carried out in the Gegharkunik region, then it should be done. During the events of September 2022, the Azerbaijani armed forces invaded the territory of the Republic of Armenia, attacking 12 settlements adjacent to our region, resulting in their presence in areas within Armenia's sovereign territory. As a result of the demarcation, they will retreat to their original positions, and the Armenian communities that have been directly targeted by these forces will be secured,” Sargsyan stated.

According to him, the maps that will be used for the demarcation give him this confidence. When asked on what basis he is confident that Azerbaijani armed forces will return to their starting positions, Sargsyan emphasized that a number of areas were returned to Armenia as a result of demarcation in Tavush.

In response to the clarifying question about which areas he was referring to, the governor said it concerned areas where demarcation has been completed. “In those same maps, there is territory that previously, and residents have mentioned, was thought to belong to a neighboring country, but it turned out to be Armenian territory, and pillars have been installed, extending from the pillar into Armenian territory,” noted the Gegharkunik governor.

As for what the Armenian side should do if Azerbaijani Armed Forces do not withdraw, the governor assured that a different set of tools would be used to compel them to do so. At the same time, he dismissed the opinion that perhaps the use of force would be applied.