UPDATE - Azerbaijani authorities, Armenian residents of Karabakh meet for reintegration

UPDATES WITH START OF MEETING, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Representatives from Azerbaijan and a delegation of the Armenian community of the Karabakh region are meeting in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh on Thursday for talks on reintegration.

The Azerbaijani side is represented by Ramin Mammadov, envoy for contacts with Armenian residents in Karabakh, deputy special representative Bashir Hajiyev, and Ilkin Sultanov.

The Armenians, meanwhile, are led by officials Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan.

A representative of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region is also present at the meeting.

The parties are discussing issues related to the reintegration of the Armenian population of Karabakh into the Azerbaijani society.

Azerbaijan on Wednesday suspended its counter-terrorism measures, a day after they were launched to disarm Armenian forces in Karabakh, and uphold the 2020 trilateral peace agreement.

Relations between Baku and Yerevan have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

In the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan liberated several cities, villages, and settlements from Armenian occupation during 44 days of clashes. The war ended with a Russia-brokered cease-fire, and talks for normalization of ties began.