Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal 

Context: 

• Armenia and Azerbaijan recently signed a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict between the countries for Nogorno-Karabakh Region. 

• According to the deal, the countries will maintain positions in the areas where they currently hold. This means a significant gain to Azerbaijan.

• Armenia and Azerbaijan have been holding military conflict for six weeks now.

Key Highlights 

• The peace deal between the countries was brokered by Russia. 

• It was signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashiyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• According to the deal, Azerbaijan has reclaimed over 15-20% of its lost territory in the conflict. Therefore, this will benefit Azerbaijan largely.

• Also, under the agreement, Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed. 

• The military operations of the countries are to be suspended.

• The two sides will exchange prisoners. Also, the refugees and the internally displaced persons are to return to their regions.

About Nogorno-Karabakh Region

• The landlocked mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh is the subject of an unresolved dispute between Azerbaijan, in which it lies, and its ethnic Armenian majority, backed by neighbouring Armenia.

• The region is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. However, most of the region is controlled by Armenian separatists.

• Currently, the disputed region has a majority of Christian population. However, Azerbaijan is recognised internationally as a Muslim-majority country.