Azerbaijan presents plan to ‘reintegrate’ Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population

Azerbaijan’s presidential administration has developed a plan to “reintegrate” the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s press service reported that the presidential commissioner for relations with the region’s Armenian residents presented and discussed these plans with the Armenian population in the towns of Yevlakh and Khojaly on September 21, 25, and 29.

Reintegration will take place “within the framework of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the basis of its constitution, laws, and international obligations.”

The plan guarantees equal rights and freedoms, and each resident’s safety “regardless of ethnic, religious, or linguistic affiliation.”

According to the document, special representative offices of the President of Azerbaijan will manage the territories where Armenian residents live. Local residents may be involved in their work. Municipalities will be formed during elections.

“The issue of residents’ citizenship will be addressed on the basis of appropriate procedures in accordance with the Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the president’s press service reported.

The plan states that Azerbaijan’s internal affairs authorities will ensure the protection of public order and safety of residents in Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, the disarmament and demobilization process in the territories inhabited by ethnic Armenians is underway, and all weapons are being confiscated from the inhabitants.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s primary currency will be the Azerbaijani manat. The Azerbaijani authorities promise that Karabakh’s physical and social infrastructure will reach Azerbaijan’s national average levels “over a certain period of time.”

The region’s residents will be able to receive tax, customs, and other benefits, according to the plan. Farmers will be provided with subsidies and will be exempted from all taxes except land taxes. Property issues will be regulated by Azerbaijani legislation. Azerbaijan’s system of labor remuneration and social payments will apply to residents of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The plan states that Armenian residents are guaranteed the right to the preservation and development of their culture, the opportunity to use the Armenian language, freedom of religion, and the protection of cultural and religious monuments.