Armenia–Azerbaijan relations

{{Update|part=2022, 2023, 2024, 2025|reason=Missing details on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox bilateral relations|Armenia–Azerbaijan|Armenia|Azerbaijan|filetype=svg}}

There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two neighboring states had formal governmental relations between 1918 and 1921, during their brief independence from the collapsed Russian Empire, as the First Republic of Armenia and the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan; these relations existed from the period after the Russian Revolution until they were occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union, becoming the constituent republics of Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan. Due to the five wars waged by the countries in the past century—one from 1918 to 1921, another from 1988 to 1994, and the most recent in 2016, 2020 and 2023—the two have had strained relations. In the wake of hostilities, social memory of Soviet-era cohabitation is widely repressed through censorship and stigmatization.{{Cite book|last=Leupold|first=David|title=Embattled Dreamlands. The Politics of Contesting Armenian, Kurdish and Turkish Memory|publisher=Routledge|year=2020|location=New York|pages=194}}

History

=In the Russian Empire=

In the Armenian–Tatar massacres of 1905–1906, Armenians and Caucasian Tatars (later known as Azerbaijanis) killed each other and destroyed homes with up to 10,000 deaths and 286 villages destroyed throughout the Russian Caucasus.

=Relations between 1918 and 1921=

Upon the disintegration of the Transcaucasian Federation with the proclamation of the independent Democratic Republic of Georgia on May 26, 1918, both Azerbaijan and Armenia proclaimed their independence on the same day, May 28, 1918. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan laid claim to the territory which they saw as historically and ethnically theirs; these territorial disputes led to the Armenian–Azerbaijani War between 1918 and 1920, a series of conflicts that ended only when both Armenia and Azerbaijan were annexed by the Soviet Union.

=Soviet Union (1922–1991)=

Upon the establishment of the USSR in 1922, Azerbaijan SSR and Armenian SSR became constituent states, initially as a part of the Transcaucasian SFSR, and from 1936 as separate entities within the union. The relations between the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities, including in Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO), were generally peaceful and friendly whilst all Soviet entities. In December 1947, the communist leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan addressed a joint letter to supreme Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. In the letter, the leaders of the two republics agreed to relocate 130,000 Azerbaijanis from Armenia to Azerbaijan, thereby creating vacancies for Armenians coming to Armenia from abroad.ARPIISSA, f. 1, op. 222, d. 72, pp. 1–2 Though occasional confrontations did occur, particularly the 1948 and the 1964 public protests in Armenia which resulted in the exodus of a large number of Azeris, they remained unknown to a broader public due to strict Soviet censorship. According to Soviet Census (1979), 160,841 Azeris lived in Armenia and 352,410 Armenians lived in Azerbaijan outside of Nagorno-Karabakh.{{cite journal |last1=Henze |first1=Paul B. |title=The demography of the Caucasus according to 1989 Soviet census data |journal=Central Asian Survey |date=1 January 1991 |volume=10 |issue=1–2 |pages=147–170 |doi=10.1080/02634939108400741 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02634939108400741?journalCode=ccas20 |access-date=31 December 2021 |issn=0263-4937}} The Soviet Census (1989) showed a decline of those minorities to 84,860 Azeris in Armenia and 245,045 Armenians in Azerbaijan outside of Nagorno-Karabakh.

=First Nagorno-Karabakh War=

In 1988, the Armenians of Karabakh voted to secede and join Armenia. This was met by pogroms (attacks) of Armenians chiefly in three cities of Azerbaijan: Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad. These attacks led to the military conflict that became known as the Nagorno-Karabakh War. The Soviet government in Moscow initially backed Azerbaijan in return for Azerbaijan supporting Mikhail Gorbachev's attempts to keep the Soviet Union together. Soviet and Soviet Azerbaijani troops both forcibly uprooted Armenian civilians in part of Nagorno-Karabakh during Operation Ring.Zürcher, Christoph and Jan Koehler. Potentials of Disorder: Explaining Conflict and Stability in the Caucasus and in the Former Yugoslavia. Oxford: Manchester University Press, 2003 p. 158. {{ISBN|0-7190-6241-1}}. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the war clearly became an international conflict between sovereign states.

The war resulted in de facto Armenian occupation of former NKAO and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories, this advance was effectively halted when both sides agreed to observe a cease-fire that has been in effect since May 1994. In late 1995, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to find a negotiated resolution to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group. The Minsk Group is currently co-chaired by the US, France, and Russia and comprises Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and several European states.

During the conflict the largest city Stepanakert was besieged by Azerbaijani forces from late 1991 to May 1992 whereby Armenians were bombarded, civilian and armed.{{cite book|title=Human rights and democratization in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, Volume 4; Volume 85|year=1993|publisher=United States. Congress. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe|pages=125|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PvhoCDGOIMQC}}The Daily Telegraph, Azeri jets bomb capital of enclave – Aug 23, 1992Bloodshed in the Caucasus: escalation of the armed conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. Human Rights Watch, 1992. {{ISBN|1-56432-081-2}}, 9781564320810, p. 32 The indiscriminate shelling, sniper shooting and aerial attacks killed or maimed hundreds of civilians and destroyed homes, hospitals and other buildings that were not legitimate military targets, and generally terrorized the civilian population.{{cite web|title=Human Rights Watch World Report – The Former Soviet Union|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1993/WR93/Hsw-07.htm|publisher=Human Rights Watch}} Azerbaijan blockaded all essential supplies, including water, electricity, food and medicines causing many deaths. Human Rights Watch reported that key bases used by forces for bombardment were the towns of Khojaly and Shusha.Bloodshed in the Caucasus: escalation of the armed conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. 1992, page 12; 34

Amid this Khojaly massacre – the mass murder{{cite book |title=Black garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through peace and war|last=de Waal|first=Thomas|year=2004 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |pages=172–173|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pletup86PMQC&pg=PA172|isbn=0-8147-1945-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603030851/https://books.google.com/books?id=pletup86PMQC&pg=PA172|archive-date=3 June 2016}} of ethnic Azerbaijani citizens of Khojaly occurred on 26 February 1992. According to Human Rights Watch, the tragedy struck when a large column of residents, accompanied by a few dozen retreating fighters, fled the city as it fell to Armenian forces. As they approached the border with Azerbaijan, they came across an Armenian military post and were fired upon".Kristen Eichensehr, William Michael Reisman. Stopping wars and making peace: studies in international intervention, 2009, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers p. 63,Annika Rabo, Bo Utas. "The role of the state in West Asia", Istanbul 2005, p. 175,

=Relations from 1994–2015=

File:Comparison of life expectancy in Armenia and Azerbaijan.png in Armenia and Azerbaijan]]

After the war, relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan remained very tense. In 2008, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev declared that "Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent; the position is backed by international mediators as well; Armenia has to accept the reality" and that "in 1918, Yerevan was granted to the Armenians. Khanate of Iravan was the Azeri territory, the Armenians were guests here."[http://www.regnum.ru/english/943595.html Azerbaijani president: Armenians are guests in Yerevan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612043901/http://www.regnum.ru/english/943595.html|date=2009-06-12}}, REGNUM News Agency, January 17, 2008

Citizens of Armenia, people of Armenian descent and those who have visited the disputed region are forbidden entry to Azerbaijan without prior formal authorisation.[http://www.ncsj.org/Azerbaijan.shtml Azerbaijan Country Page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308021931/http://www.ncsj.org/Azerbaijan.shtml|date=2009-03-08}}. NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia. Accessed 23 May 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/25889/|title=Azerbaijan doesn't allow Armenians in the country - Panarmenian.net|access-date=2013-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713183519/http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/25889/ |archive-date=2015-07-13|url-status=live }}

In 2008, in what became known as the 2008 Mardakert Skirmishes, Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed over Nagorno-Karabakh. The fighting between the two sides was brief, with few casualties on either side.

June 2010 saw a brief flare-up of the conflict, resulting in the deaths of four Armenian soldiers and one Azeri soldier. The clash came a day after peace talks between the presidents of the two countries held in Moscow.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65I1VC20100619|title=Four Armenians and one Azeri killed in Karabakh clash|work=Reuters|date=2010-06-19|access-date=2012-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623012926/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65I1VC20100619|archive-date=2010-06-23|url-status=live}}

On August 31, 2010, a border clash killed three Armenians and two Azeris. The Armenian army claimed up to seven Azeris had been killed. Both sides blamed the other for the incident.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11150688|title=BBC News – Several killed in Nagorno-Karabakh clash|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|date=2010-09-01|access-date=2012-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903211128/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11150688|archive-date=2010-09-03|url-status=live}}

On June 24, 2011, the two sides met in Kazan, Russia, to negotiate an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, but the talks ended in failure. Following the breakdown of talks, the Azeri President Ilham Aliyev used the June 26 Salvation Day military parade to warn Armenia that Azerbaijan may retake Nagorno-Karabakh by force.{{cn|date=March 2023}} On 5 October 2011, border clashes around Nagorno Karabakh left one Armenian soldier and two Azeris dead. Two Armenians were also wounded by sniper fire the same day.{{cite web|url=http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/news/5775-armenia-azerbaijan-report-more-deadly-skirmishes.html|title=News from Armenia, Events in Armenia, Travel and Entertainment | Armenia, Azerbaijan Report More Deadly Skirmishes |publisher=ArmeniaDiaspora.com|date=2011-10-06|access-date=2012-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414235932/http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/news/5775-armenia-azerbaijan-report-more-deadly-skirmishes.html|archive-date=2012-04-14}} Another violent incident occurred on 5 June 2012 when, according to the Azerbaijani side, Armenian troops crossed the border and shot dead five Azerbaijani soldiers before withdrawing. Armenia denied the claim and accused Azerbaijan of crossing the border first.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18328690|title=BBC News – Armenian forces kill five Azerbaijani troops on border|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|date=2012-06-05|access-date=2012-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815092659/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18328690|archive-date=2012-08-15}}

In October 2013, Zakir Hasanov was appointed as Azerbaijani Defence Minister despite controversy.{{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}

From July 27 to August 8, 2014, clashes began once again between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. Reported casualties of the clashes were some of the highest since the 1994 ceasefire agreement that ended the first Nagorno-Karabakh War.{{cite news|last1=Khojoyan|first1=Sara|last2=Agayev|first2=Zulfugar|title=Azerbaijan-Armenia Border Skirmishes Turn Deadliest in 20 Years|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-01/azerbaijan-armenia-border-skirmishes-turn-deadliest-in-20-years.html|access-date=29 August 2014|agency=Bloomberg News|date=1 August 2014|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307172315/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-08-01/azerbaijan-armenia-border-skirmishes-turn-deadliest-in-20-years}}

=2016 clashes=

File:Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held informal meeting in Davos.jpg meets with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Davos, Switzerland, January 2019.]]

After the 2016 clashes, in which an estimated 350 troops and civilians from both sides were killed, Azerbaijan declared a unilateral cease fire (the clashes started when Azerbaijani forces launched strikes to regain control of territory occupied by the Armenia-backed breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh).{{cite news|title=Nagorno-Karabakh fighting: Azerbaijan 'calls truce'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35953916|access-date=3 April 2016|agency=BBC|issue=bbc.com|publisher=BBC|date=3 April 2016|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403135744/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35953916|archive-date=2016-04-03|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Botelho|first1=Greg|last2=Tuysuz|first2=Gul|last3=Berlinger|first3=Joshua|title=Azerbaijan declares unilateral ceasefire amid Nagorno-Karabakh violence|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/03/asia/azerbaijan-armenia-violence/index.html|access-date=3 April 2016|issue=CNN Online|date=3 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403105644/http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/03/asia/azerbaijan-armenia-violence/index.html|archive-date=2016-04-03|url-status=live}}

=2020 clashes and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War=

{{main|July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes|2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war}}

Both sides clashed on the Armenia–Azerbaijan border: Tavush and Tovuz (respectively) from 12 until 18 July 2020, in a conflict involving artillery, tanks, and shock drones, which killed at least 17 soldiers and a civilian and injured many more. Both sides reported four commanding or junior officer-rank army deaths, one on the Azeri side being a major general.{{cite web|title=Armenia-Azerbaijan: What's Behind Latest Clashes?|url=https://iwpr.net/global-voices/armenia-azerbaijan-whats-behind-latest-clashes|date=2020-08-27|publisher=Institute for War and Peace Reporting}}

On September 27, 2020, heavy fighting along the line of contact between locally based Armenian and Azeri troops resumed. Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh (or the de facto territory of Artsakh), and Azerbaijan declaring martial law and mobilizing new and existing conscripts and professional soldiers.{{cite web|title=Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes kill at least 16, undermine regional stability|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/armenia-azerbaijan-clashes-kill-at-least-16-undermine-regional-stability-idUSKBN26I06E|date=2020-08-27|work=Reuters}}

On October 9, 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet appealed for an urgent ceasefire, citing civilian sufferings in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. She also raised concerns about overpopulated areas that were becoming targets for the heavy weaponry attacks.{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/10/1075022|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: UN rights chief calls for urgent ceasefire as hostilities mount|access-date=9 October 2020|website= UN News|date=9 October 2020 }}

On October 17 a new ceasefire agreement was announced by the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers following phone calls between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his counterparts. Lavrov strongly urged the countries to abide by the Moscow deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/azerbaijan-armenia-attack-ceasefire-1.5766622|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan announce new attempt to establish Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire|access-date=18 October 2020|website=CBC News}} However, both sides have accused each other of violating the truce further continuing the conflict. Bachelet expressed concerns on possible war crimes during the clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. On October 30, 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement that abstained them from deliberately targeting the civilians’ population, despite which artillery strikes in populated areas were reported.{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1076672|title=UN rights chief warns of possible war crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|access-date=2 November 2020|website=UN News|date=2 November 2020 }}

==Ceasefire==

File:September 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes.png under Russian peacekeepers in blue, and areas to be surrendered by Armenia to Azerbaijan hashed]]

A ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia and agreed upon by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Artsakh (non-signatory) on November 9, 2020, and effective since midnight November 10, 2020, Moscow Time ended all hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583847112.html|title=Путин выступил с заявлением о прекращении огня в Карабахе|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|work=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583845291.html |title=Пашинян заявил о прекращении боевых действий в Карабахе|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|work=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583847338.html|title=Президент непризнанной НКР дал согласие закончить войну|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|work=RIA Novosti|language=ru}} Azerbaijan claimed victory as it gained control of 5 cities, 4 towns, 240 villages and the entire Azerbaijan–Iran border.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnnturk.com/dunya/son-dakika-haberi-azerbaycan-cumhurbaskani-duyurdu-49-yerlesim-yeri-daha-kurtarildi|title=Son dakika haberi: Azerbaycan Cumhurbaşkanı duyurdu: 49 yerleşim yeri daha kurtarıldı|work=CNN Türk|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|language=tr}} Some parts of Nagorno-Karabakh, along with all Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh are to be ceded to Azerbaijan by December 1, 2020. As part of the 2020 ceasefire agreement, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to open transport links between their two countries, although the details have not been finalized.{{Cite news |title=Averting a New War between Armenia and Azerbaijan |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/nagorno-karabakh-conflict/266-averting-new-war-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131140155/https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/nagorno-karabakh-conflict/266-averting-new-war-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan |archive-date=31 January 2023 |access-date=31 January 2023 |work=International Crisis Group}}

Around 2,000 Russian soldiers, led by Rustam Muradov,{{cite web|url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/11/free/politics%20news/en/129784.htm|title=General Rustam Muradov is appointed Commander of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh|date=11 November 2020|access-date=11 November 2020|work=Turan Information Agency|language=en}} were to be deployed as peacekeeping forces to protect the land corridor between Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region for a mandate of at least five years.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/11/09/armenian-pm-announces-end-to-nagorno-karabakh-hostilities-a71997|title=Deal Struck to End Nagorno-Karabakh War|work=The Moscow Times|access-date=10 November 2020|date=10 November 2020}} Russian forces were also to guarantee the roads connecting Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54882564|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal|date=10 November 2020|access-date=10 November 2020|work=BBC News}}

= 2021–2022 clashes =

On 12 May, clashes continued as Azerbaijani troops crossed into Armenian territory, claiming the area around Lake Sev.{{cite web |author=Joshua Kucera |date=14 May 2021 |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan in new border crisis |url=https://eurasianet.org/armenia-and-azerbaijan-in-new-border-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514133123/https://eurasianet.org/armenia-and-azerbaijan-in-new-border-crisis |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Eurasianet}}{{cite web |date=14 May 2021 |title=Azerbaijanis cross Armenia's state border near Kut village as well |url=https://news.am/eng/news/643709.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514133548/https://news.am/eng/news/643709.html |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=news.am}}{{cite web |date=14 May 2021 |title=Residents of Verishen and Akner villages can no longer use pastures and raise livestock due to the presence of Azerbaijani armed servicemen |url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2021/05/14/Verishen-Akner-villages/2502339 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514165658/https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2021/05/14/Verishen-Akner-villages/2502339 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=panorama.am}} Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, attempted to appeal to the CSTO about it.{{cite web |author= |date=14 May 2021 |title=Armenia Turns To Russian-Led CSTO Amid Border Standoff With Azerbaijan |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-putin-troops-border-withdrawal/31254474.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514104949/https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-putin-troops-border-withdrawal/31254474.html |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=RFE/RL}}{{cite web |date=14 May 2021 |title=Armenia turns to Russia-led bloc after Azerbaijan 'infiltration' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210514-armenia-turns-to-russia-led-bloc-after-azerbaijan-infiltration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514160645/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210514-armenia-turns-to-russia-led-bloc-after-azerbaijan-infiltration |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=France24}} On 20 May, Azerbaijani servicemen crossed the border near Khoznavar and were forced back to their territory by the Armenian Armed Forces, leaving men wounded on both sides. On 27 May, Azerbaijani forces captured six Armenian soldiers near the border.{{Cite news |title=Yerevan Wants International Observers Deployed on Armenian-Azeri Border |newspaper=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան |date=27 May 2021 |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31277024.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527170432/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31277024.html |archive-date=27 May 2021 |access-date=27 May 2021 |last1=ռ/կ |first1=Ազատություն }} The EU then urged both sides to pull back their forces and instead engage in negotiations on border demarcation.{{Cite web |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Statement by the Spokesperson on recent developments on the border – European External Action Service |url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/99246/armeniaazerbaijan-statement-spokesperson-recent-developments-border_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603005250/https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/99246/armeniaazerbaijan-statement-spokesperson-recent-developments-border_en |archive-date=3 June 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021}} Armenia and Azerbaijan continued to clash from 7–15 July near Tovuz, Gadabay, and Shusha districts.{{cite news |date=21 July 2021 |title=Tensions Escalate Again in Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations |url=https://jamestown.org/program/tensions-escalate-again-in-armenian-azerbaijani-relations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724131927/https://jamestown.org/program/tensions-escalate-again-in-armenian-azerbaijani-relations/ |archive-date=24 July 2021 |access-date=24 July 2021 |work=Jamestown Foundation}}{{cite web |date=16 July 2021 |title=Ermənistanın Naxçıvanla sərhədində yenə "atışma olub", Ağdamda yeni hərbi hissə, Almaniyada sel 80-dən çox adamın həyatı |url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/international-57859746 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724061541/https://www.bbc.com/azeri/international-57859746 |archive-date=24 July 2021 |access-date=24 July 2021 |work=BBC Azərbaycanca}} Azerbaijan then attempted to better their strategic position near Yeraskh, leading to a whole new set of clashes and Yeraskh's shelling, resulting in two wounded and an Armenian soldier dead.{{cite web |date=19 July 2021 |title=Using Mortars, Azerbaijani Forces Shell Yeraskh |url=https://www.asbarez.com/using-mortars-azerbaijani-forces-shell-yeraskh/?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_f49b3d927b33c99e6927e08c8a59b89ad0e24508-1627129862-0-gqNtZGzNAyKjcnBszQeO |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724125601/https://www.asbarez.com/using-mortars-azerbaijani-forces-shell-yeraskh/?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_f49b3d927b33c99e6927e08c8a59b89ad0e24508-1627129862-0-gqNtZGzNAyKjcnBszQeO |archive-date=24 July 2021 |access-date=24 July 2021 |work=Asbarez}}{{cite web |date=16 July 2021 |title=Naxçıvanda yenidən atışma oldu, Ordumuzun baş leytenantı yaralandı |url=https://marja.az/73824/naxcivanda-yeniden-atisma-oldu-ordumuzun-bas-leytenant-yaralandi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724125602/https://marja.az/73824/naxcivanda-yeniden-atisma-oldu-ordumuzun-bas-leytenant-yaralandi |archive-date=24 July 2021 |access-date=24 July 2021 |work=Marja.az}}

Clashes continued from July 2021 to April 2022, killing and wounding men from both sides of the border.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-01 |title=Armenian soldier killed by Azeri sniper fire on border – TASS |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/armenian-soldier-killed-by-azeri-sniper-fire-border-tass-2021-09-01/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901235037/https://www.reuters.com/world/armenian-soldier-killed-by-azeri-sniper-fire-border-tass-2021-09-01/ |archive-date=1 September 2021 |access-date=2021-09-01 |website=Reuters |language=en}}{{cite web |date=29 July 2021 |title=Ermənistan atəşkəsi pozaraq Kəlbəcər istiqamətindəki mövqelərimizi yenidən atəşə tutub |url=https://report.az/qarabag/ermenistan-ateskesi-pozaraq-kelbecer-rayonu-istiqametindeki-movqelerimizi-yeniden-atese-tutub/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729132307/https://report.az/qarabag/ermenistan-ateskesi-pozaraq-kelbecer-rayonu-istiqametindeki-movqelerimizi-yeniden-atese-tutub/ |archive-date=29 July 2021 |access-date=29 July 2021 |work=Report Information Agency |language=az}}{{Cite news |title=Azerbaijani units fire at Armenian positions in Yeraskh |url=https://en.armradio.am/2021/10/15/azerbaijani-units-fire-at-armenian-positions-in-yeraskh/ |access-date=2021-10-18 |website=Public Radio of Armenia |language=en-US}}

After failed peace talks, the fighting renewed with the border clashes on September 12.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/fresh-clashes-erupt-between-azerbaijan-armenia-2022-09-12/ | title=Fresh clashes erupt between Azerbaijan, Armenia | newspaper=Reuters | date=13 September 2022 | access-date=13 September 2022 | archive-date=13 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913004343/https://www.reuters.com/world/fresh-clashes-erupt-between-azerbaijan-armenia-2022-09-12/ | url-status=live }} A ceasefire was agreed, to end the fighting after claiming 155 lives from both sides on September 14, two days later.{{cite news |last1=Demourian |first1=Avet |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan agree on cease-fire to end fighting |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-azerbaijan-armenia-government-and-politics-bbf809ad3d368fa9c5c497a2d79e22d6 |access-date=17 September 2022 |work=Associated Press News |date=15 September 2022 |archive-date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917010927/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-azerbaijan-armenia-government-and-politics-bbf809ad3d368fa9c5c497a2d79e22d6 |url-status=live }}

== October 2022 EPC Summit ==

{{see also|1st European Political Community Summit#Armenia-Azerbaijan relations}}

On 6 October 2022, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met during the European Political Community summit in Prague. In a statement issued following the meeting, the two parties confirmed their commitment to upholding the United Nations Charter and the Alma-Ata Protocol through which they recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The parties also agreed to the deployment of a European Union mission on the Armenian side of their border for a period of two months starting in October 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/07/statement-following-quadrilateral-meeting-between-president-aliyev-prime-minister-pashinyan-president-macron-and-president-michel-6-october-2022/ | title=Statement following quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Macron and President Michel, 6 October 2022 }}{{cite news | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-agree-civilian-eu-mission-border/32069641.html | title=Leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan Agree to Civilian EU Mission Along Border | newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty }} This ultimately leading to a longer term European Union Mission in Armenia.

== October 2022 OSCE Needs Assessment Team ==

An OSCE Needs Assessment Team was deployed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the territory of Armenia between 21 and 27 October 2022 following the border crisis.

= 2023 =

== First joint statement ==

In 2023, for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan and Armenia made a joint statement without an intermediary. They agreed to exchange prisoners. According to the agreement, 32 Armenian servicemen and two Azerbaijani servicemen were respectively released by the parties.{{Cite web |last=JAMnews |date=2023-12-07 |title=For the first time: a joint statement by Armenia and Azerbaijan "to achieve long-awaited peace in the region" |url=https://jam-news.net/armenia-azerbaijan-joint-statement/ |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=English Jamnews |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-07 |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan vow to 'normalise relations' and exchange POWs |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/12/07/armenia-and-azerbaijan-vow-to-normalise-relations-and-exchange-pows-in-joint-statement |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=euronews |language=en}} Ordinary Azerbaijani and Armenian users on social media reacted positively to that step and called for peace. Several states and institutions welcomed the joint statement.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

== United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) ==

As a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Armenia supported the bid of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy. This was announced jointly by the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.{{Cite news |last=Bagirova |first=Nailia |date=2023-12-07 |title=Armenia backs Azerbaijan to host COP29 climate conference |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/armenia-backs-azerbaijan-host-cop29-climate-conference-2023-12-07/ |access-date=2023-12-11}}

== June 2023 EPC Summit ==

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Moscow on 25 May 2023. They agreed to recognise each other's states' territorial integrity within Soviet-era administrative borders. Pashinyan confirmed these reports the following day stating "I want to confirm that Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on mutual recognition of each other's territorial integrity, and on this basis we can say that we are moving quite well towards settlement of our relations."{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/putin-reports-progress-talks-armenia-azerbaijan-technical-issues-99614680 | title=Putin reports progress in talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying only technical issues remain | website=ABC News }} Aliyev stated, "I think there is a possibility of a peace agreement – especially because Armenia has officially recognised Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. ... Azerbaijan has no territorial claims against Armenia today".{{cite web | url=https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/156722-armenia_azerbaijan | title=Armenia and Azerbaijan to recognise their borders on the way to peace agreement | date=25 May 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/azerbaijan-armenia-seek-peace-deal-in-talks-in-russia | title=Azerbaijan, Armenia seek peace deal in talks in Russia | website=Daily Sabah | date=25 May 2023 }} The leaders of both countries met at the second EPC summit on 1 June 2023 where discussions focused on the unblocking of regional transport, economic infrastructure, border delimitation and security, the rights and security of the ethnic-Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh, and prisoners of war and missing persons. Both agreed to meet again on 21 June in Brussels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/01/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-his-meeting-with-the-leaders-of-armenia-azerbaijan-france-and-germany/|title=Remarks by President Charles Michel after his meeting with the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, France and Germany – Consilium|accessdate=26 June 2023}}

== Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh ==

In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military offensive in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which ended with the surrender of the breakaway state of Artsakh and the disbandment of its armed forces. The offensive and subsequent surrender resulted in a flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, in which nearly the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh fled the region for neighboring countries, primarily Armenia.

=2024=

File:2024 BRICS Summit (1729766940).jpg and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the 16th BRICS summit in Russia, 24 October 2024]]

In 2024, the de facto Armenia–Azerbaijan border was amended to give four ghost town villages in Armenia to Azerbaijan, which were already part of the latter's Qazax District.{{Cite news |newspaper=The Gurdian |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878 |language=en-GB |publisher=Guardian Media Group |department=Armenia |accessdate=2024-04-22 |date=2024-04-22 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/22/armenia-prime-minister-villages-azerbaijan-nikol-pashinyan |title=Armenian PM defends decision to give four villages to Azerbaijan |first=Patrick |last=Wintour}} Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 10-11 May 2024, within the scope of the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process talks.{{cite web|url=https://astanatimes.com/2024/05/azerbaijan-armenia-hold-peace-talks-in-almaty/|title=Azerbaijan, Armenia Hold Peace Talks in Almaty|language=en|date=2024-05-10|publisher=astanatimes.com}}

= 2025 =

On 5 March 2025, Aliyev made a territorial claim over a strip of Armenian land separating Azerbaijan from Nakhchivan, calling it "West Zangezur." In response, Armenia called up reservists for military training. The dispute centered on the Zangezur Corridor, a proposed land route linking Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, which became a major point of contention. While Azerbaijan sought extraterritorial rights to the corridor, Armenia maintained that it would not compromise its sovereignty. Russia supported the creation of the corridor, while Iran opposed it. On the same day, Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated a gas pipeline linking Nakhchivan to Turkey, further isolating Armenia.{{Cite web |title=Renewed acrimony eclipses Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process |url=https://eurasianet.org/renewed-acrimony-eclipses-armenian-azerbaijani-peace-process |work=Eurasianet |date=7 March 2025 |access-date=13 March 2025}}

On 13 March 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan announced that both sides had agreed on the text for a comprehensive peace treaty to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250314-armenia-azerbaijan-announce-agreement-to-sign-peace-deal |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan announce agreement to sign peace deal |work=France 24 |date=13 March 2025 |access-date=14 March 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan finalise draft peace deal to resolve conflict |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/13/armenia-and-azerbaijan-finalise-draft-peace-deal-to-resolve-conflict |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

References

External links

[https://english.caucasianjournal.org/2023/04/a-historic-step-azerbaijani-and.html A historic step: Azerbaijani and Armenian journalists agree on the “Language of Peace”], Caucasian Journal, (2023-04-30)
[https://www.npr.org/2022/09/19/1123515328/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-explained The deadly clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, explained], by Joe Hernandez and Charles Maynes, NPR (2022-09-19)

Azerbaijan

Category:Bilateral relations of Azerbaijan