Azerbaijan, Armenia make significant progress on border delimitation in 2024 Report by Foreign Ministry on results of year

In 2024, Azerbaijan and Armenia achieved a significant breakthrough in their long-standing border delimitation process. Following several high-level diplomatic meetings and continued negotiations, Azerbaijan regained control over several key villages previously occupied by Armenia, says a report by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on the results of 2024.

These developments marked the first successful instance of territory being returned through bilateral talks, while also advancing the delimitation of a section of the state border. This milestone underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to resolving territorial disputes and securing its sovereignty, despite ongoing challenges in the normalization process, the ministry says, Caliber.Az reports

Throughout 2024, Azerbaijan has persistently pursued its agenda for normalizing relations with Armenia, emphasizing mutual recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and state borders.

Among the key developments of 2024 were several high-level meetings between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Notable discussions occurred on February 17 during the Munich Security Conference, facilitated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Further talks were held in Kazan on October 24 during the 16th BRICS Summit. These bilateral and trilateral dialogues were followed by diplomatic efforts from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs to craft a bilateral agreement serving as the basis for long-term interstate relations.

Over the course of the year, five meetings were held between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. These included sessions in Berlin (February 28-29), Almaty (May 10-11), Washington (July 10), New York (September 26), and Istanbul (October 18). As a result of these ongoing diplomatic engagements, significant progress has been made on the text of the bilateral agreement, reducing the number of outstanding issues between the two nations.

A major breakthrough occurred in the area of border delimitation and demarcation. Azerbaijan successfully regained control over several villages previously occupied by Armenia, including Baganis Ayrim, Ashaghi Askipara, Heyrimli, and Gizilhajili. This agreement marked the first instance of territory being returned through bilateral negotiations and facilitated the delimitation of a section of the state border between the two countries. Moreover, considerable progress was made in establishing regulations for the relevant commissions, which will oversee the continued work on the border.

Despite these successes, challenges remain in the normalization process, particularly due to the persistence of revanchist tendencies in Armenia and the rapid militarization of the country, supported by foreign powers. Armenia’s reluctance to amend its constitution and legal framework—especially in regard to territorial claims against Azerbaijan—continues to hinder the progress of negotiations.

Furthermore, Armenia’s insistence on maintaining the outdated Minsk process institutions of the OSCE, which have become irrelevant in light of evolving regional realities, has raised doubts about the country's commitment to the normalization agenda.

In addition to diplomatic hurdles, Azerbaijan has faced a significant challenge in countering a smear campaign initiated by Armenia, which gained momentum during the COP29 summit held in Azerbaijan. Despite these efforts, Azerbaijan's consistent and decisive actions have largely neutralized the campaign, ensuring the continued progression of the normalization process in line with the framework established by Azerbaijan.

Alongside its diplomatic initiatives, Azerbaijan has also pursued legal action against Armenia for crimes committed during its nearly three-decade-long occupation of Azerbaijani territories. In January 2024, Azerbaijan initiated arbitration proceedings under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. In November, Azerbaijan submitted a Statement of Claim seeking redress for Armenia’s unlawful exploitation of Azerbaijan’s energy resources in the liberated territories.

Additionally, in April 2024, Azerbaijan filed a claim under the Bern Convention regarding environmental damage and large-scale destruction of biodiversity caused by Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. This claim seeks to hold Armenia financially accountable for its actions and the long-term environmental harm inflicted.

Azerbaijan has also been actively engaged in the international legal arena. In November 2024, hearings were held at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The ICJ’s decision rejected Armenia’s attempts to exclude claims related to the planting of landmines and booby traps, and affirmed that the court would proceed with examining allegations of ethnic cleansing and other illegal activities carried out by Armenia during its occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

By Vafa Guliyeva