Azerbaijan has rejected Armenia’s proposal to withdraw troops from the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, Jeyhum Bayramov, argued that since the border is not yet delimited, there is a risk that one side may take positions again if troops are withdrawn prematurely. Bayramov emphasized that the Azerbaijani army is protecting the borders of Azerbaijan, as it had liberated its lands after years of conflict. He stated that only Azerbaijani soldiers can be entrusted with the border’s protection.

However, Arsen Torosyan, a lawmaker from Armenia’s Ruling Party, criticized Azerbaijan’s rejection of the proposal. Torosyan claimed that this move by Azerbaijan is an attempt to strengthen its negotiating position. He emphasized that maps and delimitation already exist, referring to the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration when both republics gained independence with their Soviet administrative borders.

Armenia alleges that since the 2020 war, Azerbaijan has occupied around 150 square kilometers of territory in Armenia’s provinces. Torosyan stated that recognizing each other’s borders based on the Alma Ata Declaration would reaffirm territorial integrity. He stressed the need for the delimitation and demarcation of the entire border, not just with Azerbaijan but also with Nakhichevan, and the reinstatement of violated borders.