ARTICLE VII
The Parties shall not deploy the troops of third countries along the common state border. Until the completion of the demarcation and delimitation of the border, the Parties shall take agreed measures to strengthen security and mutual trust, including in the military sphere, with the aim of ensuring stability in the border areas.

I have repeatedly referred to this article since it became known that the authorities of Armenia made this concession by including this clause in the text of the agreement.

When speaking on this topic, I have always tried to explain to our compatriots that if, years from now, our grandchildren or great-grandchildren want to place a military base of any country in the border areas of our country, they will not be able to do so, because Article 7 of the peace agreement explicitly prohibits it.

In response, I was told:
— “Yes, but this requirement will apply mutually.”

I have constantly pointed out, and continue to assert now, that for Azerbaijan, this is not a problem. Their population is large, their army is strong, and it is synchronized with Turkey’s.

There is another important circumstance that must not be forgotten: the army of Azerbaijan’s ally, Turkey — numbering half a million — is located just forty kilometers away.

In other words, fully aware that we are under the constant threat of two powerful armies, we still allow ourselves to be deceived by tales of “mutuality.” Seriously?