Prisoner Exchange and Peacebuilding: Azerbaijan and Armenia Pave Way for a Peace Agreement
Azerbaijan and Armenia, locked in a long-standing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, agree to a prisoner swap and commit to pursuing a peaceful resolution in the volatile region
Azerbaijan and Armenia have reached an agreement for a prisoner exchange and are committed to improving relations and pursuing a peace agreement to end a long-standing conflict, a move that has been welcomed by the United States and the European Union.
As part of the agreement, Azerbaijan will release 32 prisoners of war to Armenia in exchange for two, all of whom are members of the military, as stated in a joint announcement published by Azerbaijani state news agency AZERTAC.
"The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan are both in agreement that there is a significant opportunity to finally achieve peace in the region's long-standing conflict. Both countries have reiterated their commitment to improving relations and establishing a peace treaty that respects the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement affirms. This breakthrough follows discussions between the Azerbaijani president and the Armenian prime minister's offices.
"The statement also declares that tangible measures will be taken to build trust between the two countries."
A statement by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller praised the prisoner swap as a significant confidence-building measure in the progress towards a peace agreement between the two countries. Miller also commended Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for their collaborative efforts in creating a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the South Caucasus. The United States reaffirmed its strong support for ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting and dignified peace.
"The EU-led Brussels process has prioritized the establishment and strengthening of bilateral dialogue between the parties involved. Today's progress marks a significant milestone," stated EU Council President Charles Michel on X. "I urge the leaders to expedite the finalization of the peace deal ASAP."
For decades, the neighboring nations have been embroiled in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region located in the Caucasus Mountains.
A family walk along the road from Nagorno-Karabakh to the Armenian border town of Kornidzor, September 26, 2023.
Vasily Krestyaninov/AP
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In September, Azerbaijan swiftly took back control of Nagorno-Karabakh, an area with a predominantly Armenian population that is located within its borders. This region is recognized as part of Azerbaijan by the international community, but has been under the rule of Armenian separatists for many years. Conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh have led to two previous wars since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and their ceasefire agreements have been tenuous.
Earlier this year, Armenia acknowledged that the region belonged to Azerbaijan, but there are still disagreements about its future government. The recent progress in exchanging prisoners and normalizing relations coincided with delegates from both countries participating in the COP28 climate talks in Dubai.
Armenia has also announced its withdrawal from hosting the annual UN-backed climate summit next year and expressed hope for other countries to support Azerbaijan's candidacy. As a result, there is now a vacancy for the host of COP29 in 2024, which is required to be held in eastern Europe according to UN rules. Prior to this announcement, the two nations had been competing and blocking each other's candidacy in the voting process.
The host country for the year is determined through a vote by nations within the region. Russia has voted against multiple nations that are part of or allied with the European Union.
Azerbaijan, which has been strengthening its relationship with Russia, is a significant producer of oil and gas. These resources contribute to nearly half of the country's GDP and account for over 90% of its exports.
