Banner disputes highlight problem with demarcation of border between Armenia and Azerbaijan

The banner on the road from Gori to Kapan is located on the territory of Azerbaijan, and it does not imply any claims to the Armenian lands, states Togrul Djuvarly, a member of the Azerbaijani Public Committee for European Integration.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan complained about the installation of the banner "Welcome to Azerbaijan" on the road from Goris to Kapan. Residents of the Syunik Region poured paint onto the banner.

The population of the border regions of Armenia should not fear the Azerbaijani armed forces, believes Namizad Safarov, a coordinator of the "Committee against Torture and Repression". "Azerbaijan has no territorial claims to Armenia, and Armenia has attracted Russian military personnel to the protection of its borders with Azerbaijan," Namizad Safarov explained.

He has emphasized that the content of the banner was not threatening, but it was just a schematic map of the country with some signs marking the sights. "We cannot understand the neighbouring country's aggressive attitude towards a border sign," Namizad Safarov noted.

"The Azerbaijani military personnel stay here to protect their country's borders, and they do not intend to threaten local residents," believes Togrul Djuvarly, a member of the Azerbaijani Public Committee for European Integration. According to him, Azerbaijan only restores its border without encroaching on the territory of Armenia.