The fate of exclaves—territories the Soviets made part of Armenia and Azerbaijan but that are surrounded by land belonging to the other—is slowing the signing of a peace deal between them, with Yerevan now backing a swap while Baku is less supportive.
Calls for such swaps have been a regular feature of relations between the two countries since the early 1990s, when they were about larger territories, calls Azerbaijan originally supported while Armenia opposed. Baku’s military preponderance has reversed this.
Such a swap is now gaining more attention because of its successful use in Central Asia and because no other means besides further military action seems available to achieve a final settlement the two countries and most outside powers want.
by Jamestown Foundation – Yerevan Wants to Swap Territories with Azerbaijan to Resolve Exclave Problem
