The Armenian opposition has begun to openly express its concern about the possibility of the return of the Azerbaijani village of Karki within the framework of the delimitation process.
Modern.az reports, citing Armenian media, that Narek Karapetyan, the head of the “Strong Armenia” faction, and several deputies of the political force visited the village of Karki, which Armenians call “Tigranashen”.
Opposition representatives met with Armenians settled in the village. It was stated that the residents do not want to leave their homes.
Recently, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's presentation of the settlement with the historical Azerbaijani toponym “Karki” has increased the opposition's concern. Opponents of the government consider this as preparation for the return of the village to Azerbaijan within the framework of delimitation.
Narek Karapetyan, without touching upon the legal status of Karki in terms of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, wanted the village to remain under Armenia's control. He justified his position by the strategic road passing through the settlement, which connects the north of Armenia with the Syunik region and the Iranian border.
According to Karapetyan, approximately 2 million tons of cargo are transported annually via this road. The Armenian politician, stating that the alternative route passes through narrow mountain and village roads, admitted that the return of Karki would affect Armenia's cargo transportation.
Thus, it seems that the main reason for the Armenian opposition's protest is not so much the situation of the residents, but rather the fear of losing control over the strategic transport road passing through the Azerbaijani village.
It should be noted that Karki is an exclave village belonging to the Sadarak district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The village was occupied by Armenia in 1990 and is currently under the control of this country. Azerbaijan keeps the fate of the enclaves on the agenda to be resolved within the framework of the delimitation process.
