An Azerbaijani delegation on March 1 met with representatives of the mostly ethnic Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh to discuss issues related to the reopening of the Lachin Corridor, which connects the region with neighboring Armenia.
In a post on Twitter, the European Union's special representative for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, called the talks “encouraging news” and said the “discussions appear to have focused both on immediate concerns and broader issues.”
The Karabakh news agency Artsak Press reported that “agreements were reached on further cooperation aimed at reducing tensions” but did not elaborate further. Azerbaijan state media reported that the meeting focused on Karabakh’s “integration into Azerbaijan.”
The talks were held at the headquarters of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Karabakh.
SEE ALSO: 'I Just Want To Go Home': Karabakh Armenians In Limbo As Blockade ContinuesThe only road linking Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region to Armenia has been blocked by government-backed Azerbaijani protesters since December 12. The main issue has been the inspection of trucks traveling the road. Karabakh representatives told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service they are ready to discuss the installation of X-ray machines in the corridor, but they must be controlled by Russian peacekeepers.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been sparring over Nagorno-Karabakh for decades. The mainly ethnic Armenian enclave is part of Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994 with some 30,000 dead.
During a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan regained control of much of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories held by Armenian forces. More than 6,500 people died in that fighting, which was ended by a Russia-brokered peace agreement.
The blocking of the Lachin Corridor has led to sometimes tense standoffs between the protesting Azerbaijanis and Russian troops who are stationed there as part of the 2020 Russia-brokered deal.
Human Rights Watch said on December 21 that the blocking of the Lachin Corridor had disrupted access to essential goods and services for tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians living there.