Azeri political analysts note the need to strengthen borders

Amid the complicated relations with Armenia, where parliamentary elections are scheduled, border reinforcement is a must, but Azerbaijan needs no military actions either before the elections or after them, the Azerbaijani political analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the issue of defining the Azerbaijani border with the southern regions of Armenia arose after the 2020 autumn aggravation of the Karabakh conflict.

The reinforcement of the border with Armenia by Azerbaijani militaries is a must, said Telman Abilov, the head of the NGO "Military Officers". "According to information from social networks, they erect defensive structures; trenches are being dug; and military posts are set up. All this is a need given that there is no Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agreement, while revanchist sentiments are strong in the Armenian society; and Yerevan still does not recognize the Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. It's still unknown how Armenia will behave after the parliamentary elections. Therefore, Azerbaijan should be ready for possible military provocations, no matter who wins the elections," Mr Abilov has concluded.

Rasim Agaev, a political analyst, also believes that Azerbaijan should strengthen its borders. "Whoever and whatever political force wins in Armenia, the country's policy against Azerbaijan will not change, because nationalist sentiments are strong in the Armenian society. At the official level, they have territorial claims to Azerbaijan and Turkey. Therefore, Azerbaijan should take a tough stance on the border issue. Otherwise, concessions will be perceived as weakness," Mr Agaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He has noted that Azerbaijan has no intent to undertake any military actions on the border either before the elections in Armenia or after them. "Azerbaijan has no territorial claims to Armenia. Azerbaijan is defending its territories," Rasim Agaev has concluded.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 9, 2021 at 04:19 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.