The first talks between Azerbaijan and the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh began yesterday in the Azeri city of Yevlakh after Baku’s lightning military victory to regain control of this enclave which had seceded.

In images broadcast by the official Azeri news agency Azertag, six men in civilian clothes stand around a table to negotiate the reintegration of the predominantly Armenian territory into Azerbaijan. Agence France-Presse points out that among them is a representative of Nagorno-Karabakh, David Melkoumian.

A convoy of black 4×4 vehicles had earlier arrived at the negotiation site in Yevlakh, 295 kilometers west of the Azeri capital, followed by a vehicle flying a Russian flag and bearing Russian military license plates.

As of late 2020 and a previous war, Russia has a peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh.

At the same time, the head of the Turkish state, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reiterated Ankara’s undivided support for Baku during his telephone conversation with his Azeri counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, who gave him information regarding the current situation, the Turkish presidency announced.

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According to the latest account of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azeri military operation, which ended the day before yesterday, Wednesday, at noon, within 24 hours, cost the lives of at least 200 people, while the injured reached 400. The Russian Ministry of Defence announced for its part that two Russian soldiers were killed the day before yesterday, Wednesday, when their vehicle came under fire.

After a first round of talks, the Azeri side agreed to a request from Karabakh Armenians to urgently provide food and fuel, the presidency said.

The Azerbaijani delegation presented the Karabakh Armenians with plans for their integration into Azerbaijan. Specifically, issues of the Armenian population of Karabakh reintegration were discussed, alongside the restoration of infrastructure and the organization of activities on the basis of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Also, the provision of fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools has been planned as well as the address of emergency medical care needs, fire fighting services, and financial assistance.

Source: CNN Greece

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