Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov recently stated that delimitation work along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is continuing. He also noted that three documents were signed during the visit of Shahin Mustafayev. Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan also confirmed this information.
International affairs expert Armen Manvelyan commented on the nature of these works and documents, arguing that Azerbaijan conducts delimitation only in areas where it has “interests or claims.”
Tavush delimitation and the enclave issue
“Why did they start delimitation from Tavush? Because they have set the goal of obtaining the so-called Tavush enclaves, which in reality do not exist according to Armenia’s Constitution and laws. As far as I understand, there is a secret agreement, and the Armenian side has consented to handing over those enclaves,” he stated.
According to Manvelyan, one of the indications of this is the decision to relocate the gas pipeline.
He argued that the decision to move the pipeline approximately five kilometers westward is connected to the fact that part of the route passed through these so-called “enclaves.”
“In other words, by handing over the enclaves to Azerbaijan, we were also giving them control over the gas pipeline. And we remember what happened in Artsakh when they took control of the pipeline in Lachin,” he said.
Manvelyan also claimed that Azerbaijan seeks not only the enclaves themselves but also roads leading to them through Armenian territory.
The territorial integrity issue
According to the expert, Azerbaijan’s statements about recognizing Armenia’s territorial integrity are not accompanied by recognition of clear borders.
“Even if the Armenian side identifies specific square meters, they refuse to mention any figures, saying that they recognize Armenia’s territorial integrity, but it remains unclear what exact territory they recognize,” he noted.
According to Manvelyan, Azerbaijan structures the delimitation process precisely within this logic.
“In practice, they do not recognize Armenia’s territorial integrity and carry out delimitation only where they have ambitions to intrude into Armenian territory through the issue of enclaves and TRIPP,” he stated.
In Manvelyan’s assessment, Azerbaijan has “zero interest” in conducting delimitation in other directions.