The Restoration of Azerbaijan's Territorial Integrity: Problems end Issues

Abstract

The primary goal of this essay is to look at how Azerbaijan's territorial integrity has been restored in the present geopolitical environment. It outlines the primary methods and chances for resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The analytical process examines the conflict's role, structure, and dynamics. The theoretical explanation contains a systematic technique based on the research's strategic aspects. The conflict of Mountainous Karabakh – a contradiction between Armenia and Azerbaijan - is an example of acute antagonism between such countries, which are the member of governments unification being the members of the association of states with a unified legal field by many parameters, are also included in the same international and regional organizations and are subjected to similar legal norms and principles of peaceful coexistence. The military phase of Mountainous Karabakh began in 1988 and lasted until May 1994, when a ceasefire agreement was achieved between Armenia and Azerbaijan through the mediation of Russia, the organization of the Commonwealth of Independent Countries and the Minsk Group of Security Organization and European Cooperation. In May 1997, the Minsk Group co-Chairmen offered the parties of the conflict mentioned above а mediation agreement on the liberation of the occupied territories, the returning refugees, the removing the blockade, and giving guarantees for the population. According to basic models of regulation of the Mountainous Karabakh conflict and the analysis of different concepts, we can conclude that the solution to this conflict was possible by recognizing the basic norms of international law - the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state, using full compromises and negotiation. Despite the efforts of international organizations and mediation, working out options, and many proposals, it became impossible to find specific ways of resolving the Mountainous Karabakh conflict. Both countries were still looking for a compromise acceptable to both parties. At the same time, the situation in the region became tenser and tenser. Over thirty years, many ceasefire agreements were repeatedly violated. Armed clashes occurred along the contact conflict line, which was established after the first war. The second war of Mountainous Karabakh began at the end of September 2020. Military aircraft, drones, long-range heavy artillery, and ballistic missiles were used during this war. Information warfare and state propaganda were implemented on both sides. Many countries and the UNO have harshly criticized the renewal of the military action and called on both sides to de-escalate tensions. For Azerbaijan, which had lost hope for peace talks and was dissatisfied with the passivity of the mediators, the only way to solve the problem remained - a military solution. Moreover, as for Armenia, the status quo was acceptable. For the Azerbaijanian government, it was getting more and more apparent the impression that Armenia, against the background of the indifferent attitude of the international community, actively strengthened its position and additionally implemented infrastructural projects, was engaged in the policy of settling people in the occupied territories, Thereby Armenia was strengthening its positions. After a strategic wait for decades, the right moment has come for Azerbaijan: Russia was ready to take a neutral position. Turkey was ready to help Baku. In Armenia, internal political processes were developing. The combination of internal and external factors contributed to the resumption of the new war in Mountainous Karabakh. The tripartite ceasefire agreement on the basis of which the second Nagorno-Karabakh war ended the thirty-year-old armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The situation in the region has changed substantially: Azerbaijan has restored its constitutional rights, and the occupied territories have returned to the legal field of Azerbaijan. As a result of the Second World War, Azerbaijan gained control mainly of the Southern part of Nagorno-Karabakh, including the strategically important cities of Shusha and Hadrut, as well as all the districts around the Mountainous Karabakh region that were no longer under Azerbaijani jurisdiction as a result of the First World War. This peaceful agreement had great geopolitical and internal regional significance. The movement of forces in favor of Russia is expressed. Russia is the winner in this war since the agreement makes it clear that Moscow remains a key player in terms of security in this region, and the area of Russia's influence is expanding. At the same time, it becomes clear that a new political force in the form of Turkey is becoming active in the region. Turkey does not sign this agreement, although Ankara's role in the Karabakh events is significant and worth paying attention to. Turkey is going further to take part in peace processes. Mountainous Karabakh As a result of active actions, the influence of the Minsk Group of OSCE in Mountainous Karabakh has been significantly reduced. Russia acts as the guarantor of the ceasefire and acquires even greater geopolitical significance in the form of the patron of Armenia. In resolving the Karabakh issue, Russia was able to reduce the role of the Minsk Group, the United States, and France, respectively, and this issue became dominant. Recognizing objective factors, Azerbaijan will also have to come to terms with Russia's presence in Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia was able to leave Turkey outside this agreement, even because the existing monitoring mechanism implies Turkey's inclusion in this process. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijani Ilham Aliyev, paid attention to the fact that the agreement being concluded between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, nothing is said about the status of Mountainous Karabakh, and this problem has been resolved. President Ilham Aliyev declared that he was always ready, and at present, he wishes to conclude a new agreement with Armenia. This agreement would end the military antagonism and minimize the civilians' risks. Nikol Pashinyan also announced the conclusion of a new Agreement with Azerbaijan. However, he did not publish the content of the agreement, that motive that, at this stage, it represents only a working version. Political analysis of the regulation of the Karabakh conflict makes clear that the revision of the borders of independent countries is inadmissible. Resolution of the actual problem should be implemented within the limit of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, where the representatives of both nations will live and determine their legal status. Azerbaijanian government should be guided by the relevant criteria of UNO, OSCE, and the Council of Europe.