Azerbaijan revived the enclave narrative
Calling Baku “constructive” in the peace process is naïve, says regional affairs expert Armen Petrosyan. According to him, Azerbaijan has intentionally reactivated the “enclaves” narrative to influence upcoming negotiations in its favor.
Calling Baku “constructive” in the negotiation process is naïve, says regional affairs expert Armen Petrosyan. According to him, the Baku enclaves constructiveness narrative is intentionally shaped to benefit Azerbaijan as demarcation talks approach.
Azerbaijan revived the enclave issue
Petrosyan notes that the discussion intensified only after the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry publicly stated that Baku intends to “restore the enclaves.” The Armenian Prime Minister’s later reference to Artsvashen came after Azerbaijan had already reactivated the topic.
“In reality, it was Baku that brought the enclave issue back into the spotlight,” Petrosyan says.
He urges analysts and journalists to avoid amplifying the enclave rhetoric at this stage:
“Armenia’s official position has not changed. There is still no factual basis identifying any territories inside Armenia as ‘Azerbaijani enclaves’.”
Pressure ahead of demarcation
The expert believes that the demarcation process is likely to resume soon, and Azerbaijan’s statements are aimed at influencing — or pressuring — future negotiations.
Armenia expects the return of:
- Artsvashen
- territories seized in 2021–2022
These points will inevitably become part of the negotiation agenda. Since no final decisions exist, political bargaining remains possible.
Complex negotiations and vulnerable segments
Negotiating with Azerbaijan will be difficult, Petrosyan warns. If demarcation begins from the Nakhichevan section, Armenia has several vulnerable areas that could theoretically be discussed in the broader context of an enclave exchange or the preservation of the current status quo.
Why early discussion harms Armenia
Petrosyan stresses that all conversations at this stage are based solely on preliminary political statements. Any deeper talks taking place at commission level are not public.
“Until Azerbaijan presents factual, verifiable grounds, it is unwise to actively promote the enclave topic inside Armenia or in the media,” he concludes.