Fitch Ratings: tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan has increased

YEREVAN, April 3, /ARKA/. The tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan has increased over the last year, Fitch said in a report.

It said the closure of the Lachin corridor to Armenia has exacerbated frictions, and followed 2022 September's more severe fighting that broadened the conflict from areas in and around Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's relationship with Russia appears more strained, and the EU has adopted a limited monitoring role in Armenia.

The Fitch's base case is that Russia will retain its peacekeeping forces at least until the end of the committed period in late 2025, and that a peace agreement will be reached and ultimately lead to a deal on improved trade and connectivity. However, there could well be further sporadic clashes, and downside risk has increased since early last year, according to the report.

Last Saturday Armenian and Azerbaijani security officials met at the Tegh - Kornidzor section of their common border in Syunik region to have made some adjustments as a result of which the situation on that section significantly improved, the Armenian National Security Service said.

Earlier, it said that the Azerbaijani side, without waiting for pre-arranged border adjustments, started to position itself and carried out fortification works. It said the Azerbaijani side crossed the border and advanced 100 to 300 meters into Armenian territory in several segments.-0-