On 14 October, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed to Azerbaijan that the two countries exchange territories of equal area in order to eliminate enclaves and exclaves along the border. In a video address on Facebook, he described this as one of the principles of a final peaceful settlement, alongside the opening of transport routes and the parties\u2019 renunciation of mutual claims.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n Pashinyan<\/strong> He stated that, following the conclusion of a peace agreement, there should be no enclaves or exclaves on either side of the border. Under his proposal, the countries could transfer to one another areas of precisely defined, equal size, so that the border would become continuous.<\/p>\n Pashinyan links the demarcation of the border to the 1991 Almaty Declaration. He also emphasised that Armenia\u2019s internationally recognised area must remain at 29,743 square kilometres.<\/p>\n According to CivilNet, within the territory of Armenia<\/a> There are three plots of land that legally belong to Azerbaijan<\/a>, but are under Armenian control. Artsvashen, an enclave that legally belongs to Armenia, is situated in Azerbaijan. The publication suggests that an exchange could help avoid the resettlement of residents and simplify border crossings.<\/p>\n At the same time, the Prime Minister did not disclose the maps, the list of plots or the agreed procedure for their transfer.<\/p>\n Pashinyan identified the full reopening of transport links as another element of the settlement. This refers not only to international routes, but also to the ability of citizens of each country to travel to different parts of their own country via a neighbour\u2019s territory.<\/p>\n Azerbaijan is seeking a direct link to its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via southern Armenia. Yerevan, for its part, is keen to re-establish transport links through Azerbaijani territory.<\/p>\n According to the Prime Minister, the routes are to operate as part of the TRIPP project \u2014 \u00abTrump\u2019s Path to International Peace and Prosperity<\/em>\u00bb, \u2014 both within and beyond it. The project envisages the development of regional links whilst respecting the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the states through which the routes will pass. The opening of these routes is seen as key to the revival of trade, logistics and economic ties in the South Caucasus.<\/p>\n Pashinyan proposed that the peace settlement should enshrine the absence of mutual territorial claims and respect for sovereignty. In this context, he referred to Karabakh, Gardman, Shirvan, Nakhchivan and the concept of so-called \u00abWestern Azerbaijan\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n
How Yerevan sees the solution to the enclave issue<\/h2>\n
Roads must be operational both within and outside the TRIPP area<\/h2>\n
Waiver of claims and contacts with Aliyev<\/h2>\n