Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed delight over the ceasefire
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed delight on the peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which was brokered by Russia. As per the deal, the fighting will stop and Russia will post 2,000 peacekeepers in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan made significant gains on the ground during the conflict that blew into a full scale war in late September, including capturing the city of Shushi.
“We congratulate the government and brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the liberation of their territories. It is hoped that this will lead to an era of stability and prosperity in the region and will pave way for the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral lands,” the statement read.
The agreement requires Armenian forces to turn over control of some areas it held outside the borders of Nagorno-Karabakh, including the eastern district of Agdam. That area carries strong symbolic weight for Azerbaijan because its main city as its main city with a Mosque as the only standing building.
Armenians will also return the Lachin region to Azerbaijan, which holds the main road leading from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. The deal requiresthe road, the so-called Lachin Corridor, to remain open. The Russian peacekeepers, who have a five year mandate, will protect the road.
Turkey will play its part
The Turkish Presidency also issues a statement and said that Turkey will monitor the situation as well. “President Erdogan said Turkey will engage in supervising and monitoring activities together with Russia by means of a joint center at a location to be designated by Azerbaijan in territories it saved from Armenia’s occupation,” the statement read.
Armenians protest on the streets
Thousands of Armenians gathered in the main square in the capital Yerevan and denounced the deal. Some people stormed government buildings as well. The Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinian in a Facebook post said that the decision was very painful for him and his people.
Longstanding conflict
The current conflict began in 1988 with Armenians wanting to annex the area. However, Azerbaijan received control of the region which later led to an armed conflict leading to more than 30,000 deaths. A lasting ceasefire was achieved in 1994. In the current conflict, a number of ceasefires were called but almost immediately violated. The current deal, however, is expected to last.