YEVLAKH: Azerbaijan and Armenian separatists from the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region held their inaugural direct peace negotiations on Thursday. These talks took place after Baku claimed it had regained control of the breakaway territory through a swift military operation.
The separatists had agreed to a ceasefire plan brokered by Russia, which entailed them laying down their arms. This ceasefire effectively halted Azerbaijan’s 24-hour offensive aimed at reclaiming territory that had been at the center of a decades-long conflict.
Azerbaijan’s presidential office reported that the two-hour meeting was conducted in a “constructive and peaceful atmosphere” and took place in the presence of Russian peacekeeping forces. Both sides expressed their willingness to engage in further discussions.
Azerbaijan Proposes ‘Reintegration’ of Karabakh into Azerbaijan
Baku’s negotiating team put forth proposals for the “reintegration” of Karabakh’s Armenian population into Azerbaijan. They also committed to providing urgently needed resources, including fuel, humanitarian aid, and medical assistance to residents.
Despite the ongoing talks, gunfire was reported in the separatist stronghold of Stepanakert on Thursday, despite the ceasefire agreement.
Arutyun Gasparyan, a local businessman and father of two, remarked, “There was a small exchange of fire outside the city. We are sitting at home and waiting for the results of the talks.”
