Based on the 1991 Alma-Ata declaration, the territory of the Republic of Armenia is clearly defined within the borders of 29,743 sq. km. All issues regarding enclaves and exclaves should be resolved exclusively within the framework of border demarcation and peaceful settlement process, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a press briefing on Thursday.

Responding to a question about the fate of enclaves, particularly the village of Tigranashen, and the risks of repeated resettlement, Pashinyan emphasized that there is a legally enshrined reality in Soviet-era maps.

“On the maps existing at the time of the adoption of the Alma-Ata declaration, Artsvashen [village] is a territory of Armenia, while Kyarki [i.e. Tigranashen], Baghanis-Ayrum, Barkhudarlu, Yukhari Askipara [villages] are not the territory of Armenia. This is a fact that we are dealing with. In the calculation of Armenia’s 29,743 sq. km surface area, Artsvashen is included as our exclave, while the exclaves located on our territory are not included in that calculation,” Pashinyan said.

The Armenian premier added that at the moment there are no specific agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan on whether there will be an exchange of territories or their return.

However, the main principle is enshrined in the regulations on the joint work of the border demarcation commissions, and the final result should guarantee the peaceful life of the residents of the border zones and fully preserve the recognized 29,743 sq. km area of Armenia, Pashinyan said.