Israeli pundit calls handing over mine maps by Armenia a step towards peace

Handing over mine maps to Azerbaijan by Armenia could be a pivotal step towards peace between the two nations, editor of the Israeli Economic Peace Center and political analyst Rachel Avraham told journalists.

Avraham said this is her fifth visit to Karabakh and seventh to Azerbaijan in general, highlighting the progress made since the Second Karabakh War, Report informs.

“When I first came to Karabakh, it was six months after the Second Karabakh War. We visited Karabakh with a delegation led by Ayoob Kara, former Israeli Communications Minister. I was his assistant. We were among the few foreigners who saw Karabakh after the war. We were in an area where there were many mines, trees were uprooted, etc.,” she said.

Avraham praised the extensive rehabilitation efforts undertaken by the Azerbaijani government, noting significant developments such as the ANAMA conference in Aghdam, a culinary festival in Shusha, and the new airport in Zangilan. "Azerbaijan is making great strides," she noted.

However, she expressed concern over Armenia's reluctance to hand over the maps of minefields. "Imagine what Karabakh would be like if Azerbaijan received these maps. It would not be a 'Black Garden' but a 'Green Garden'," Avraham added.

She called for international condemnation of Armenia's failure to fulfill these obligations and suggested that sanctions should be imposed until all landmine maps are handed over to Azerbaijan.