Events on May 5 in history

The signing of the Bishkek Protocol between Armenia and Azerbaijan effectively freezes the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Bishkek Protocol: A Crucial Halt in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War

In the midst of the intense and devastating First Nagorno-Karabakh War, a critical diplomatic breakthrough occurred on May 5, 1994, with the signing of the Bishkek Protocol. This document served as a provisional ceasefire agreement, a desperate but essential step towards halting the large-scale hostilities that had gripped the South Caucasus region. The signing ceremony took place in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, a neutral ground that underscored the urgent need for external mediation to quell the conflict.

The protocol brought together high-ranking representatives from the primary parties involved: Babken Ararktsian, the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, and Afiyaddin Jalilov, the First Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament. Notably, the agreement also included Karen Baburyan, the Speaker of the Parliament of the then-unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, signifying its de facto involvement in the conflict and the peace process. Russia played a pivotal mediatory role, with Vladimir Kazimirov, its representative to the OSCE Minsk Group, also affixing his signature. This collective effort aimed to establish a desperately needed pause in the fighting, providing a glimmer of hope for a more lasting peace.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Roots of a Protracted Dispute

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a deeply entrenched ethnic and territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, rooted in complex historical narratives and geopolitical shifts. The contested region, known as Artsakh by Armenians, is characterized by its mountainous terrain and has historically been home to a predominantly ethnic Armenian population. Surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh are seven districts that, until the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, were primarily inhabited by Azerbaijanis who were subsequently displaced.

While these territories are internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, they have been, at various times, de facto controlled or claimed by the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh (also known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic). The origins of this contentious issue can be traced back to the early 20th century, but the modern phase of the conflict dramatically reignited in 1988. At that time, amid the twilight years of the Soviet Union, Karabakh Armenians formally demanded the transfer of Nagorno-Karabakh from the jurisdiction of Soviet Azerbaijan to Soviet Armenia. This burgeoning ethnic nationalism and conflicting claims of self-determination versus territorial integrity quickly escalated into a full-scale war in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to widespread casualties and displacement.

Two Decades of Fragile Peace and Renewed Hostilities

The Bishkek Protocol, signed in 1994, indeed ushered in a period of relative stability for nearly two decades. This cessation of large-scale hostilities, though punctuated by sporadic skirmishes, allowed the international community to pursue a negotiated settlement through the OSCE Minsk Group. However, beneath the surface of this fragile peace, tensions steadily mounted. Azerbaijan grew increasingly frustrated with the enduring status quo, viewing it as a perpetuation of territorial occupation, while Armenia sought to consolidate and cement the de facto situation.

This delicate balance shattered dramatically with the "Four-Day War" in April 2016, a significant escalation that marked the deadliest violation of the 1994 ceasefire since its inception. This brief but intense flare-up served as a stark precursor to the much larger and more devastating conflict that erupted in September 2020. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War saw extensive use of modern weaponry and resulted in significant territorial changes, leading to a new tripartite ceasefire agreement signed on November 10, 2020. This agreement, brokered by Russia and signed by the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, stipulated that most of the territories Azerbaijan had lost during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War would return to its control.

Following the 2020 armistice, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared the conflict officially over. However, the path to lasting peace has proven to be far more complex. The ceasefire agreement was subsequently followed by the 2021 Armenia-Azerbaijan border crisis, which began in May 2021 and has seen continued clashes and casualties on both sides, underscoring the deep-seated nature of the dispute and the ongoing challenges to achieving a comprehensive and durable resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Bishkek Protocol?

The Bishkek Protocol is a provisional ceasefire agreement signed on May 5, 1994, by representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and Russia. Its primary purpose was to halt the intense fighting of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Who signed the Bishkek Protocol?

The protocol was signed by Babken Ararktsian (Parliament Speaker of Armenia), Karen Baburyan (Parliament Speaker of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), Afiyaddin Jalilov (First Deputy Parliament Speaker of Azerbaijan), and Vladimir Kazimirov (Russia's representative to the OSCE Minsk Group).

What is the core of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

The conflict is an ethnic and territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding districts. It involves conflicting claims of self-determination for the region's ethnic Armenian population and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, with historical roots tracing back to the Soviet era.

When did the major escalations of the conflict occur?

After a full-scale war in the early 1990s, the conflict saw significant escalations in April 2016 (the "Four-Day War") and again in September-November 2020 (the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War). Border tensions and clashes have continued since May 2021.

What was the outcome of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War?

The 2020 war concluded with a tripartite ceasefire agreement on November 10, 2020. This agreement resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control over significant territories it had lost during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. Russian peacekeepers were also deployed to the region.

Is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict considered resolved?

While Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed the conflict ended with the 2020 ceasefire agreement, the subsequent 2021 Armenia-Azerbaijan border crisis and ongoing casualties demonstrate that fundamental issues remain unresolved. The status of Nagorno-Karabakh and border demarcation are still contentious points, indicating that a comprehensive and lasting peace has yet to be fully achieved.