JANUARY-2021

BULLETIN H I GHL I G H T O F T H E FORE I G N P O L I CY OF REPUBL I C OF AZERBA I JAN

Table of contents

I. The restoration of the liberated territories 2

II. Trilateral meeting between the leaders of , Armenia, and Russia 2

III. Turkish-Russian Joint Monitoring Center opens in Aghdam 3

IV. Turkmenistan boosts energy ties with Azerbaijan 4

V. Cooperation between Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Turkey gains momentum 6

VI. Corridor will strengthen the connectivity in the South Caucasus 7

VII. Pax Caucasia: Peace in the South Caucasus should be based on reciprocity 9

I. The restoration of the liberated guarding . They control and will territories continue to control the adjacent heights. A commandant's office has been set up in The restoration and development of the newly Shusha and an institute of civil administration liberated territories is the top priority for the is being established now," President Ilham government of Azerbaijan. It implies wide Aliyev said, adding that “Shusha occupies a participation of private and state-owned special place in the history of Azerbaijan, and companies, as well as foreign investors in the the restoration and revival of Shusha is our process. Currently, Azerbaijan is developing a common cause”. concept of restoration and reconstruction of its liberated territories, which includes The restoration of territories in and around attracting foreign investors to the Karabakh was also a major topic of the development of these territories. On January meeting between the Minister of Economy of 19, the institute of the special representative the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov in the liberated territories was set up. In an and US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lee online meeting, President named Litzenberger on January 27. During the his first special representative for the newly meeting, the possible involvement of US liberated historical city of Shusha. "The first companies in the restoration of reclaimed appointment is to and this is territories in Nagorno-Karabakh and around it absolutely natural. Susa has a special place in was discussed. In turn, the US ambassador the hearts of the Azerbaijani people. Shusha is expressed his satisfaction with the restoration the crown of Karabakh," the president told his of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, noting the representative for Shusha, Aydin Karimov, importance of ensuring sustainable peace in who was earlier dispatched to the city to the region. Litzenberger expressed the inspect and analyze the situation on the scene. willingness of US companies to participate in President Ilham Aliyev has reiterated the projects for the restoration of the liberated government's determination to have rebuilt territories, and above all, in projects for water Shusha by preserving its historical appearance. resources management, construction of roads, "The city has been declared cultural capital of other infrastructure, and digital technologies. Azerbaijan and after restoration, Susa will be a very lively city. Both local and international events should be held there - festivals, II. RTrilateral meeting between the competitions, and tours. Susa will be the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, cultural capital not only of Azerbaijan, but also and Russia the region," President Ilham Aliyev told Aydin On January 11, President Ilham Aliyev and Karimov. Aydin Karimov previously served as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian met an adviser to the chairman of the State at a trilateral summit in Moscow with Russian Committee for Urban Planning and President Vladimir Putin, at the latter’s Architecture and took part in the initiative. The four-hour-long talks served as an implementation of the large-scale urban important follow-up to the ceasefire development project White City in . statement signed by the three leaders on President Ilham Aliyev added that Shusha was November 9, 2020, which ended the 44-day properly protected by the Azerbaijani Armed Second Karabakh War. The meeting took place Forces. "The Azerbaijani servicemen are against the backdrop of growing political 3

instability in Armenia, where protestors agreed to establish and complete the attempted to block the road to the airport in formation of expert subgroups to deal with the order to prevent Prime Minister Pashinian provision of transport, including security, from leaving for Moscow. A meeting between border, customs, sanitary, by February 2, 2021 the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan and and hold their first meetings by February 5, Armenia’s Prime Minister in Moscow on 2021. Vasif Huseynov, a senior advisor at the January 11, 2021, resulted in the signing of a Center of Analysis of International Relations second trilateral declaration. The document is (AIR Center), noted that “overall, the January primarily built upon the ninth article of the 11 summit left the resolution of many other November 9 trilateral statement – the issues regarding the conflict to the future. This restoration of all economic and transport links includes, primarily, questions about the and development of infrastructure projects in portion of the Karabakh region under the joint the region. According to this new Moscow control of Armenians and Russian Declaration, the unblocking of all peacekeepers”. communications in the region will be supervised by a Trilateral Working Group under the co-chairmanship of the Deputy III. Turkish-Russian Joint Monitoring Prime Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Center opens in Aghdam Armenia. This Working Group must conduct its On January 30, a Turkish-Russian Joint first meeting by 30 January and decide on the Monitoring Centre has started operation in main priorities of this process. Sub-groups of Aghdam district to monitor the experts representing relevant state bodies of implementation of the clauses of the trilateral all three parties will also be established. This statement signed between Azerbaijan, Russia, expert group is tasked with preparing a list of and Armenia on November 10, 2020. Aghdam projects and the resources necessary for their is one of the districts that Azerbaijan liberated implementation within a month after the first as a result of the Second Karabakh War. The meeting of the Trilateral Working Group takes opening ceremony has been attended by place. Subsequently, by March 1, 2021, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Zakir Trilateral Working Group has to submit the list Hasanov, Deputy Minister of National Defense for approval and provide a schedule of the of Turkey Yusun Emre Garaosmanoglu, and measures to be undertaken towards the Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander restoration of existing and establishment of Fomin. The area of the Turkish-Russian Joint new transport infrastructure in the region. The Center is about 4 hectares. There are 65 joint concluding statement of the Moscow modular administrative and living rooms in the summit declared establishing railway and area, the actual joint monitoring centre, a automobile communication as a priority and briefing room, a 100-seat canteen, a medical seeks to ensure international shipping across center, a laundry room, a barber, a tailor, a Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as cargo transit shop, sport and other facilities, and four by the two countries across each other’s monitoring towers. The whole territory has territories. On January 31, a trilateral meeting been fenced along the perimeter, 4 of the deputy prime ministers of Azerbaijan, observation towers have been installed, and Russia, and Armenia was convened in Moscow 24-hour security has been organized. The to discuss the implementation of the clauses of centre is guarded by the military servicemen of the November 10 Statement. The parties the Azerbaijani Army. 60 military servicemen

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from both Turkey and Russia will serve at the were agreed on. On August 12, 2018, five Monitoring Center. The Turkish staff of the littoral states of the Caspian Sea – Russia, monitoring center is led by Major General Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Abdullah Katirci, and the Russian staff is led by – signed the Convention on the Legal Status of Major General Viktor Fedorenko. the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Convention resolved many disputed issues between the five Caspian littoral states, and one of the key IV. Turkmenistan boosts energy ties clauses of the Convention was supposed to with Azerbaijan facilitate the building of the undersea pipelines On January 21, 2021, Baku and Ashgabat with the consent of the countries only involved signed a memorandum of understanding on in the project. joint exploration and development of After the ratification of the Caspian hydrocarbon resources of the “Dostluk” Convention, cooperation between Baku and offshore oil field in the Caspian Sea. President Ashgabat have gained major new impetus. Ilham Aliyev said the memorandum “reflects During the visit of the president of the Republic both the nature and spirit of our fraternal of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Turkmenistan in friendly relations”, describing it as “historic”, November 2018, several important explaining that it is the first time that the two Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan documents were countries have embarked on “joint work to use signed, such as “the Program of Cooperation a deposit in the Caspian Sea”. “Today's signing between the Government of the Republic of opens a new page in the use of the Azerbaijan and the Government of hydrocarbon resources of the Caspian. This Turkmenistan in the Field of Transport for project will promote the strengthening of the 2019-2022” and “the Agreement on Long-term energy security of our countries as well as of Trade and Economic Cooperation between the our neighbours. It opens up big export Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and opportunities and, in this way, will promote the Government of Turkmenistan”. The visit of the growth of the welfare of our peoples,” the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly President Ilham Aliyev pointed out. Berdimuhamedov to Azerbaijan on March 11, The deposit had for years been a matter of 2020 further strengthened bilateral relations. dispute between Baku and Ashgabat since it The President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly was located at the junction of the national Berdimuhamedov called the memorandum a sectors of the two countries in the sea. The “historic document”, adding that the field, which had been a bone of contention memorandum signifies “a fundamentally new between Baku and Ashgabat since the late phase in energy cooperation” between the 1990s, has been renamed “Dostluq” which two countries in the Caspian. It "opens up new means “friendship” in both languages. opportunities for joint work on a firm Previously, Azerbaijan called it “Kapaz”, while international legal basis, and additional serious Turkmenistan named it “Sardar”. incentives are being created for an inflow of Turkmenistan even considered to take the major foreign investments into our region on... disputed issue to the International Arbitration a long-term basis", President Court. However, later, both countries agreed Berdimuhamedov noted. The most important not to do any work in the area until issues area of bilateral cooperation is cooperation in regarding the division of the Caspian seabed the Caspian Sea, as well as transportation.

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Joint exploration of Dostlug field will increase have voiced their support for energy oil export potential of the country as well as cooperation in the Caspian Sea. In fact, the EU create favorable conditions to strengthen relaunched the negotiations with Ashgabat energy cooperation, especially in natural gas over TCP after the Caspian Convention was sector as Turkmenistan’s total proved gas signed. TCP could deliver Turkmen reserves in the region is substantial. In 2019, hydrocarbon resources to Europe and help gas production amounted to 63.2 billion cubic Turkmenistan to diversify its energy export meters (bcm), of which roughly half of routes. As Shahmar Hajiyev, a senior advisor at production was designated for domestic the Center of Analysis of International market. Along with Russia, China is the main Relations (AIR Center), put it, “energy buyer of the Turkmen natural gas. In 2019, the cooperation between Turkmenistan and natural gas supply to China was slightly more Azerbaijan is of interest to both countries. First than 30 bcm. The gas was supplied via the of all, Azerbaijan welcomes other countries to Central Asia-China gas pipeline, which join SGC on the basis of mutual economic connects rich gas sources of Central Asia to benefits. In this regard, the energy China’s gas transmission system. Another cooperation between Baku and Ashgabat may major natural gas export route for also strengthen Azerbaijan’s position as energy Turkmenistan is Russia. However, gas disputes hub in the region. For Turkmenistan, the with Russia over Gazprom’s demand to revise energy cooperation is even more important, as the oil-linked price formula agreed in 2008 and the country is highly dependent on natural gas later cut gas supplies from Turkmenistan hit exports, and new markets for the sale of Turkmenistan’s economy hard. Only in 2019 natural gas, especially the European energy Gazprom has signed a five-year contract to market, are very attractive. By diversifying import 5.5 bcm of gas a year from energy export routes, Ashgabat could reduce Turkmenistan. So far, asymmetric dependence its dependence on a few destinations, as well on Chinese and Russian markets has been a as may have a more favorable position in gas critical vulnerability for Turkmenistan. negotiations”. During the signing ceremony, President During the signing ceremony, President Ilham Berdimuhamedov said that “this document Aliyev pointed out that there are already opens up a fundamentally new phase in the trilateral formats of cooperation - Azerbaijan- partnership between Turkmenistan and Turkmenistan-Turkey and Azerbaijan- Azerbaijan in the strategic energy field”. For Afghanistan-Turkey, and that this cooperation this, he added, the two countries “have targets a specific result - to create more everything necessary” – the political will, favorable conditions for doing business and for equipment, highly-skilled staff and "an the implementation of major infrastructure enormous experience of work in the oil and gas projects. “At present, we are two independent industry", the "main key" to successful activity energy powers and making one more in the Caspian being a centuries-long history of contribution to the cause of strengthening "firm fraternal ties". cooperation in the Caspian. I am confident that In this context, gas transit from Turkmenistan the Caspian - even though it is a natural border to Azerbaijan via the potential Trans-Caspian between our countries - will continue to unite Pipeline (TCP) might open up new energy our countries and peoples,” President Ilham markets for Ashgabat. Both the EU and the U.S. Aliyev added. President Berdimuhamedov also

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noted that together with Afghan, Georgian and stress that this is a peace platform, not an Turkish partners, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan alliance directed against any other state or are actively working toward an effective group of states. , Foreign functioning of the Lapis Lazuli transport Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, talking corridor, which is meant to become a major at the press conference held after the trilateral continental thoroughfare between Asia and meeting, expressed gratitude to Turkey and Europe. Pakistan for their support to Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War. “These friendly countries condemned the occupation, attacks V. Cooperation between Azerbaijan, and war crimes of Armenia, supported the Pakistan and Turkey gains discussion based on our sovereignty and momentum territorial integrity, and loudly declared the On January 13, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs recognition of the borders of states and the of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic establishment of justice in the international Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of arena. We highly appreciate this principled Turkey came together in a trilateral meeting in position”, Jeyhun Bayramov noted. This Islamabad. Organized for the first time in gratitude is also noticed in the society of November 2017 in Baku, this format of the Azerbaijan where the flags of Turkey and cooperation between the countries has been Pakistan were often raised alongside gaining momentum over the last years. Baku is Azerbaijani flag during and since the war. striving to develop relations with its two Compared to Pakistan – Turkey partnership partners in almost all spheres as reflected in that dates back to the early 1950s when the the agenda of the trilateral meeting that two countries came together in the Western- covered a wide range of issues including those aligned Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), related to the cooperation in technology, the history of Azerbaijan’s close relationship science, culture, economy and military. The with Pakistan started in 1990s, after Declaration signed by the three ministers Azerbaijan’s restoration of independent expressed the sides’ support to each other in statehood. Being one of the first countries the most fateful challenges faced by them. recognizing Azerbaijan’s independence from Reiterating the support of the sides to the , Pakistan categorically resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict opposed Armenia’s occupation of Karabakh within the internationally recognized borders and therefore rejected to establish diplomatic of Azerbaijan, the Declaration highlighted their relations. Bilateral relations between Baku and solidarity in Azerbaijan’s efforts to rebuild and Islamabad have been on a growing track since restore liberated territories. In a similar vein, then. The progress has been recorded in most the declaration expressed the sides’ support to major spheres, but primarily, in the military- Pakistan in the conflict over Jammu and strategic cooperation. Having signed a defense Kashmir calling for its resolution in accordance agreement in September 2002, Azerbaijan and with the UN Security Council resolutions, and Pakistan agreed on the legal framework of the to Turkey in the settlement of the disputes in military cooperation that includes primarily Cyprus, the Aegean and the Eastern joint military exercises and exchange of Mediterranean on the basis of international information. law. Nevertheless, the sides are cautious to

Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected]

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The 2015 marked another milestone in the Turkish combat drones obtained by Azerbaijan bilateral ties between the two countries when were hailed by the Azerbaijani president for they signed a declaration on strategic having played an “exceptional” role in the partnership aimed at enhancing relations by country’s military victory over Armenia during deepening and expanding cooperation in the the 44-day war. The Turkey-Azerbaijani political, economic, defense and security partnership in the non-military spheres has spheres, as well as trade, energy, investment, likewise recorded new highs in recent years. In tourism, transport, science and technology, 2020, having signed a preferential trade environment, information, youth and sports. agreement, the two states aim at reaching a The two countries are committed, particularly, $15 billion trade volume target. According to to bolstering economic relations which are the Azerbaijan’s Statistical Committee, the often seen as falling short of its true potential. trade turnover between the two countries There are new projects and opportunities to accounted for 4.5 billion dollars in 2019, increase mutual trade which was less than 15 marking a significant rise from its volume of million dollars in 2019. The opening of less than 600 million dollars in 2005. The Azerbaijan’s Trade House in Pakistan, establishment of visa-free travel and the establishment of working groups to explore recent agreement on the travel with identity investment opportunities, expanding the legal card as a border crossing document are likely framework in the field of food security and to further boost the relations between the two trade, investing in the textile, pharmaceutical countries that characterize themselves as “one and energy sectors, as well as developing nation, two states”. Overall, a long list of other cooperation between small and medium-sized agreements has been reached by Turkey and businesses are in the agenda of the Pakistan- Azerbaijan over the last few years profoundly Azerbaijan relations. The launch of direct reinforcing strategic partnership between the flights between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the two countries and enabling them to confront near future is also expected to make a regional and global challenges together. As significant contribution to the intensification Vasif Huseynov pointed out, “the Pakistan- of mutual ties. Azerbaijan-Turkey trilateral cooperation Azerbaijan, over the years since its platform constitutes, therefore, an important independence, has established or joined element in Azerbaijan’s foreign policies. Not several platforms for cooperation with Turkey, only does this allow Azerbaijan to confront its major ally in international relations. Turkey security challenges more assertively, but also is the only country with which Azerbaijan has a provides a unique opportunity to revive the defense agreement committing the sides, in country’s economy that has been affected by line with Article 51 of the United Nations the fall of oil prices and global economic crisis Charter, to cooperate when either country caused by the Covid-19 pandemic”. faces aggression from a third state or group of states. Agreed by the 2010 Agreement on VI. Nakhchivan Corridor will Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support strengthen the connectivity in the (ASPMS), Azerbaijan and Turkey have been South Caucasus developing defense cooperation that is a major pillar of Azerbaijan’s security policies. Along with political advantages, the victory of This bilateral military cooperation and the Azerbaijan in the war created substantial

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economic advantages for itself and regional total investment amount will be $200-270 countries. According to the 9th clause of the million and a 230 kilometers long line will start trilateral declaration, all economic and from Kars-Igdır and continue to Nakhchivan. transport links in the region will be restored From there, the line will be connected to the and the Republic of Armenia guarantees the railway line that continues to Iran, safety of transport links between the western Afghanistan, Pakistan and other regions of regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan through the Nakhchivan corridor. Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to The connection of the Kars-Nakhchivan railway organize an unhindered movement of citizens, to the Nakhchivan corridor will also boost vehicles and goods in both directions. The economic relations between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan corridor will become an integral Turkey. part of both north-south and east-west The issue of restoring and opening of new transport corridors going through the South transport lines between Azerbaijan and Caucasus. The new corridor will put an end to Armenia has called into question ’s the economic blockade of Nakhchivan role as a transit country. However, the already Autonomous Republic. Currently, Nakhchivan existing and secure transit routes from Georgia linked to Azerbaijan either through Iran in the are not likely to diminish in their role. The fully south or Turkey in the west. A direct line with operational infrastructure like the various Nakhchivan will shorten the travel time and pipelines, roads and major railway transits that cut transportations costs. The Nakhchivan have made Georgia a transit country are to Corridor will create new economic remain as relevant and still pose advantages opportunities for the regional countries as for the country. As Ulviyya Bayramli, an advisor well. Through this corridor, Turkey will get a at the Center of Analysis of International direct access to Azerbaijan without using the Relations (AIR Center), pointed out, “one land routes via Georgia and Iran. Compared to transport line is unlikely to fulfill all the the Baku--Kars railway, which connects bilateral trade and transport needs of Turkey Azerbaijan to Turkey through Georgia, the and Azerbaijan. The two transit routes road within the new corridor will be about 340 connecting Azerbaijan and Turkey should be km shorter. As this corridor will shorten the seen as complementary, rather than transportation distance and decrease the contradictory to each other”. transportation costs, the bilateral trade between Azerbaijan and Turkey will increase. The cooperative relations between Azerbaijan It will also positively affect the tourism and Georgia can be rightfully used as an relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey as it example of the benefits that regional will create a more comfortable land route for cooperation can deliver. Built on regional the movement of tourists. In a broader sense, energy and transit projects, the two countries the corridor promises to give Ankara another have managed to maintain positive relations route to access the Caspian Sea and the Turkic despite the threats and power shifts of the world of Central Asia. It is also worth noting past 30 years. Over the years, Azerbaijan has that Turkey has announced plans to build a become Georgia’s major provider of energy new railway link from Turkey to Nakhchivan, security; Georgia, in turn, has become a transit which would expand cargo and passenger country through which Azerbaijan has been transportation in the region and boost the able to export its energy supplies. Built on a capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad. The shared understanding of regional challenges

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and common interests in energy and trade, the this corridor, Armenia also could obtain a rail two countries have managed to enjoy stable connection with Iran. The planned relations. Additionally, successful cooperation construction of a railroad between Armenia has made further opportunities for mutual and Iran through the Megri region has been partnerships a possibility. Azerbaijan also postponed because of the high costs. Now the remains as the largest foreign direct investor in new corridor gives a great chance for Armenia Georgia and Azerbaijani companies are the to eliminate the problems related to the largest taxpayers in the country, as strong and transportation of cargos to Iran. Establishing prosperous Georgia is only of interest for the Nakhchivan corridor in parallel to BTK Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan will add a new artery to the Middle The creation of the Nakhchivan corridor is also Corridor, the mainland corridor that connects advantageous for Russia as it creates an Asia with Europe and will strengthen its position as a regional transportation hub in the alternative land links to the regional countries. The southern part of Russia’s railway network region. As Orkhan Baghirov, a leading advisor is connected to Azerbaijan railways, and using at the Center of Analysis of International this connection, Russian trains could easily Relations (AIR Center), noted, “along with reach the Nakhchivan corridor and then be regional countries, the planned corridor directed to the lines that extend to Armenia, should be in the interests of European, Central Turkey and Iran. For Russia, this road could Asian countries and China as it creates a new also serve as an alternative pathway to the alternative for the transportation of cargos markets of the Middle East. Taking into both in eastern and western directions. All the account that in recent years the trade turnover mentioned advantages show that the between Russia and Turkey has been Nakhchivan corridor could become one of the considerably growing and due to political main elements of the new order in South Caucasus – Pax Caucasia”. issues, Russia was not able to use land routes of Georgia for getting a direct link to Armenia, the Nakhchivan corridor will create great VII. Pax Caucasia: Peace in the South economic advantages for Russia. Armenia Caucasus should be based on could also significantly benefit from the reciprocity Nakhchivan corridor if it chooses to return to peaceful policies and cooperation. By using On November 10, 2020, Armenia and this corridor, Armenia could end its economic Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire declaration, isolation, join the regional transport projects under the auspices of Russia, that ended the and, more importantly, to get a land link to the 44-day war. The ceasefire declaration contains market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), several critical clauses, which, if fully which was one of the main economic obstacles implemented, could create a real opportunity for Armenia in recent years. The absence of for sustainable peace in the region. In this land roads between Russia and Armenia was regard, the role of the West may prove also negatively affecting bilateral trade essential. At the same time, the Second relations between them. Thus, the Nakhchivan Karabakh War has revealed the intellectual corridor could become an effective project for shallowness of the Western strategic thinking the development of economic relations of about the South Caucasus. The West should Armenia with EEU, including Russia. By using leave its obsolete and stereotypical views

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about the South Caucasus at the door and projects, including oil and gas pipelines. reengage with the region more pragmatically. Georgia, as a transit beneficiary, earns millions Despite all the challenges, there is a major of dollars from closer regional cooperation. chance for the development of the region. The end of the Second Karabakh War has Both the US and the EU could play a much opened up new infrastructure opportunities more constructive role in the region by for the South Caucasus. Since the conclusion of helping, among other things, to reconcile the the fighting, Azerbaijani and regional officials, belligerent parties and restore destroyed sites, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip including both Islamic and Christian cultural Erdoğan, have offered an alternative future for monuments. Both actors could also more the South Caucasus and even invited Armenia actively support connectivity projects which to join regional projects from which it had will strengthen the regional cooperation, been isolated for decades. By renouncing its including the Azerbaijan-Nakhchivan Corridor, territorial claims, Armenia might put an end to which will link Azerbaijan’s landlocked exclave its isolation. However, thus far revanchist and Nakhchivan with the mainland. extremist forces in Armenia have prevailed The ceasefire declaration contains crucial over the political discourse in the country. clauses about the opening of communication Securing a lasting peace in the region requires and transportation links in the region. a genuine push and equal effort from all sides. Azerbaijan committed to allow a flow of Unfortunately, so far it seems that Azerbaijan people and goods, monitored by Russian is the only one who is pulling its weight. peacekeepers, through the so-called Azerbaijan has been consistent in corridor, which connects Armenia with the demonstrating goodwill, particularly when it Armenian population in Karabakh. In the comes to addressing the needs of ordinary meantime, in accordance with the declaration, people in the region. Baku was willing to allow Armenia pledged to grant land access through humanitarian work by Russian peacekeepers its Megri region between Azerbaijan proper to alleviate the many hardships faced by the and the Nakhichevan exclave. Other local Armenian population residing in the communication lines are also about to be areas under those peacekeepers’ control and opened. Azerbaijan has already signed an facilitated the transfer of goods through agreement with Russia for the delivery of mainland. The items are transported via rail as humanitarian supplies to Armenians in far as Barda city, then taken by road to the Karabakh through Azerbaijani territories. The Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan allowed potential for opening transportation links can such an assistance to take place in create the ground for future regional consideration of the advent of winter despite cooperation and better connectivity. the fact that Baku was not under any Azerbaijan invested in and successfully obligation to do so, as President Ilham Aliyev implemented a number of transportation recently noted. Azerbaijan also allowed projects – the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad, Trans- Armenian citizens to continue using the parts Caspian fiber-optic line, and others – to of the Gorus–Kafan road that pass through the promote greater connectivity between Europe newly liberated Azerbaijani territories. and Asia. In contrast, Armenia has, for all these Unfortunately, instead of appreciating this years, owing to the occupation of Azerbaijani constructive step by Azerbaijan, Armenian territories, been left isolated from regional extremists put derogative graffiti on a highway

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sign portraying the Azerbaijani map placed on undermining the chances of achieving lasting the Azerbaijani part of the highway. Videos of peace and security in the South Caucasus. Armenians criticizing their own government as During the almost 30-year occupation of the well as Azerbaijan for placing this sign territories of Azerbaijan, the Armenia troops alongside the Gorus–Kafan highway went viral have committed numerous acts of on social media. Azerbaijan also gave a ten-day humanitarian, environmental, religious and extension of the deadline for the Armenian cultural vandalism. By destroying cultural and troops and illegal settlers in to leave religious sites, renaming the cities, Armenia the region. Unfortunately, this sign of goodwill sought to falsify the history and erase all traces was not reciprocated by the Armenian side. On of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in the occupied the contrary, the Armenian population territories. Moreover, with the liberation of engaged in full-scale looting in Kalbajar— the occupied lands as a result of the 44-day destroying and burning houses, cutting down war, numerous instances of war crimes and trees, cutting electricity transmission lines, destruction committed during the occupation and damaging infrastructure and religious and of Azerbaijani lands by Armenian troops have cultural monuments. The most egregious been discovered. Memorial sites built in example of such looting activity was the memory of those who fought and died during removal of 800-year-old frescoes from the the Second World War in , Jebrail, walls of the Khudaveng (Dadivang) monastery Gubadli, , Aghdam, Lachin were in Kalbajar. damaged or destroyed. Destruction of those All of this shows that Azerbaijan is genuinely memorials by a country that glorifies Nazi interested in building lasting peace in the accomplices like Garegin Nzhdeh and region. Azerbaijan and Turkey also proposed to Drastamat Kanayan is offensive not only for launch a multilateral cooperation platform the Azerbaijani people, but also for all those involving all six countries of the region— who fought and sacrificed their lives in the Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Georgia, and fight against Nazism during the Second World also Armenia. At the same time, building peace War. in the region should be a two-way street. Just recently, as a result of an anti-terror Unfortunately, Azerbaijan’s efforts to advance operation, Azerbaijan captured dozens confidence-building with Armenia are falling Armenian militias in the forest area around the on deaf ears on the Armenian side. Success in liberated Hadrut settlement in the Khojavand unblocking all communications and launching district of Azerbaijan, who, by going through new cooperation platforms is contingent upon the Lachin corridor after the declaration of the goodwill and dedication of all parties—and November 10, arrived at the newly liberated Armenia’s willingness to turn the page on a territories to carry out acts of sabotage against history marred by occupation, irredentism, Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, this kind of heightened nationalism, and expansionism. sabotage has historically been a part of Such policies have caused enormous damage Armenia’s modus operandi towards and calamites in a region that has already lost Azerbaijan. Armenian terrorist organizations many opportunities for peace and prosperity. systematically and deliberately carried out acts Moreover, utterly delusional nationalistic and of terrorism on Azerbaijani territory. On March irredentist forces in Armenia are still trying to 19, 1994, 14 civilians lost their lives and 49 upend the fragile peace in the region, were injured as a result of the bombed attack

Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected]

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perpetrated at the “20 January” metro station Azerbaijan is the only one who is pulling its in Baku. It goes without saying that such weight and continuously demonstrating actions only serve to increase animosity and goodwill and patience, while others engage in diminish the chances of reconciliation sabotage and undercut any peace efforts is between the two states. Such incidents inherently unsustainable and cannot last compromise the structural integrity of the forever. As Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the newly achieved fragile peace in the region. Center of Analysis of International Relations At the same time, one of the crucial clauses of (AIR Center), pointed out, “the year 2021 will the November 10 declaration still remains be decisive in terms of the direction of the unimplemented. According to Paragraph 4, all region: towards peace or renewed tension. Armenian armed forces should be withdrawn One thing is for sure, however: Azerbaijan has from Azerbaijani territories. The influx of exhibited its strategic patience and determination to fully restore control over its Armenian militants and military cargo through the Lachin corridor into the territories of internationally recognized territory, and it will Azerbaijan is a critical issue. So far, it seems continue to do so in the future”. As Dr. Esmira that the Russian peacekeeping mission is Jafarova, a Board Member of the Center of unwilling to engage with Azerbaijani Analysis of International Relations (AIR authorities on this matter. In a territory Center), noted, “unilateral efforts will not currently controlled by Russian peacekeepers, deliver solid results and might eventually fall Armenian militants are still unrestrained and by the wayside. It is important that both sides occasionally attack Azerbaijani positions and engage in cooperative behaviors towards each settlements. Russia insists of the inability of its other for the benefit of building a Pax peacekeepers to disarm the Armenians. Caucasia”, adding that “Pax Caucasia should However, Moscow already managed to make no longer remain a distant dream; for the first time since the independence of the former Armenians withdraw from three formerly occupied regions—, Kelbajar, and Soviet republics of the South Caucasus, Lachin—in line with a clause contained in the prospects for achieving this ideal seem within November 10 declaration. Unfortunately, it reach. It is high time to heal old wounds and should be underscored that Russian move forward: towards a better, prosperous, peacekeepers are not acting against these and peaceful South Caucasus”. Armenian militants, though their deployment was conditional on the full withdrawal of Armenian troops.

Building durable peace in the region should be a collective effort. The situation in which

Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected]