On November 10, an agreement on the cessation of hostilities signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan through the mediation of Russia entered into force in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The document, published on the Kremlin’s website, lists nine points of the agreement.
First of all, from 00:00 Moscow time on November 10, all hostilities were stopped in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the military of Armenia and Azerbaijan remained in their already occupied positions. Further, Yerevan undertook to transfer control over the Agdam region to Baku by November 20, over the Kelbajar region by November 15, and over the Lachin region by December 1.
Within three years, it is planned to determine a plan for the construction of a new traffic route along the Lachin corridor in order to ensure the connection of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Baku pledged to guarantee the safety of movement in this area.
It was also decided that 1,960 Russian peacekeepers with small arms, 90 armored personnel carriers, 380 units of automobile and special equipment will be deployed along the line of contact and along the Lachin corridor.
“The peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is deployed in parallel with the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces. The term of stay of the peacekeeping contingent is 5 years with automatic extension for the next 5-year periods, ”the document says.
It is noted that the extension of the period of stay of the peacekeepers is possible if neither side expresses disagreement with this.
In addition, a peacekeeping center will be established to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
The parties also agreed to exchange prisoners and bodies of the dead, unblock all economic and transport links in the region, and ensure the safety of movement of citizens and transport. At the same time, refugees and displaced persons will be able to return to Karabakh under the control of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
“By agreement of the Parties, the construction of new transport communications linking the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic with the western regions of Azerbaijan will be ensured,” the document adds.
On November 10, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, announced that a Russian-Turkish ceasefire control center would appear in Azerbaijan. However, he will not be related to the peacekeeping operation.
“I would like to emphasize once again that this is not connected, it is not the same thing, these are different things. We are not talking about those peacekeeping efforts that are spelled out in the statement, ”Zakharova explained.
Currently, 20 Russian Il-76s arrived in Armenia, which delivered equipment and 400 military personnel. The peacekeepers have already moved to Karabakh.
Earlier, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev noted the important role of Russia in achieving peace in Karabakh, and called the agreements a point in the conflict. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the agreement a difficult decision for the Armenian people. Protests broke out in Yerevan.