In a significant development, Azerbaijani officials and representatives of Armenian residents in the Karabakh region have come together to establish a joint working group aimed at coordinating civil activities in the area. This collaborative effort was confirmed during a meeting between Ramin Mammadov, the envoy for contacts with Armenian residents of Karabakh, and representatives of the residents in the city of Khojaly.
The meeting was marked by a constructive atmosphere, with Armenian representatives expressing their gratitude for the vital provisions provided by Azerbaijan, including food, fuel, and electricity. The parties agreed on the formation of a working group responsible for addressing social, humanitarian, economic, and infrastructure issues in the region. Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev will lead this working group, which will collaborate with relevant representatives responsible for utility, health, and other civil services in the region, including the city of Khankendi.
During the discussions, it was proposed to establish a field hospital near Khankendi or Khojaly, where medical personnel of Azerbaijani and Armenian origin would work together. Additionally, plans were made to create a mobile cafeteria staffed by personnel from both Azerbaijani and Armenian backgrounds.
Further suggestions included forming mixed teams of healthcare personnel of Azerbaijani and Armenian origin to provide assistance to isolated and vulnerable individuals in remote villages. Additionally, plans were discussed for visits by Armenian-origin civil society representatives and activists residing in Karabakh to Baku and other Azerbaijani cities.
The statement released after the meeting also highlighted the commitment of Azerbaijani officials and Armenian representatives to meet again in the near future to continue their collaborative efforts.
This development follows a recent incident in the region where two individuals lost their lives when a truck, belonging to an Azerbaijani government institution, struck a mine on the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway in the Jabrayil region. Tragically, four police officers responding to the scene also lost their lives when their vehicle hit another mine.
It's worth noting that Azerbaijan had initiated "counter-terrorism" measures in the Karabakh region in line with provisions outlined in a trilateral peace agreement with Russia and Armenia, aimed at concluding the 2020 conflict. However, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced the cessation of these activities following an agreement reached with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region.
The longstanding tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia date back to 1991 when Armenian forces occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, along with seven adjacent regions. The situation escalated in the fall of 2020 when Azerbaijan successfully liberated several cities, villages, and settlements from Armenian occupation during 44 days of intense clashes. The conflict ultimately came to a halt with a Russia-brokered ceasefire.
News ID : 2502