On August 16, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev visited the Lachin and Kalbayar regions. Azerbaijan was able to restore its control over these regions in the wake of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War last fall (partly militarily, partly in accordance with the November 9 Trilateral Declaration that ended the war). 

During the trip to these regions, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is now strengthening the state border in the direction of Kalbayar and Lachin. "This border was in Armenian hands for about 30 years. After the snow melted in May, we approached these borders, took our positions, settled in Zangazur and strengthened our positions there. This is our country. The opinions expressed in Armenia are completely unfounded. We are on our own land. Lake Garagol and other places are ours," Aliyev said.

All border infrastructure and military units from the Ministry of Defense, as well as border troops, would be stationed along the border - from Mount Murov to the Araz River, Aliyev informed.

"The construction of 700 kilometers of local roads is underway. I am not even talking about the major trunk roads, because enough information has already been provided about these projects. The construction of 700 kilometers of roads leading to our borders is underway and about 80 percent of these works will be completed before the onset of winter. In other words, the earth and gravel roads will allow us to strengthen our positions in these areas, both for traffic and from a military perspective. Of course, we are the ones who have the upper hand on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border. This is quite natural, and we will continue to have the upper hand," Ilham Aliyev said.

It should be recalled that since May 2021 there have been regular tensions on the still unmarked border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including shootings with deadly consequences for both parties.