The transfer of control over sections of the Goris–Kapan highway and part of the village of Shurnukh in late 2020 remains one of the most controversial decisions taken in the aftermath of the 2020 Artsakh War. Nearly six years later, key questions surrounding the legal basis, signatories, and secrecy of the process continue to fuel political and public debate.

A Memorandum That Azerbaijan Did Not Sign

One of the most striking aspects of the controversy is that the memorandum reportedly governing the Armenian withdrawal from positions along the Goris–Kapan road was not signed by Azerbaijan.

According to information later confirmed by Armenian officials, the document was signed between Armenia and Russia in December 2020. The memorandum has never been officially published by the Armenian government. Azerbaijani authorities were not listed among its signatories, despite the fact that the withdrawal resulted in Azerbaijani control over portions of the road and adjacent territory.

This has led critics to question why a document that produced major territorial and security consequences for Armenia was concluded without Azerbaijan formally signing it.

The Foreign Ministry Did Not Have the Document

Adding to the controversy, former Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazian stated that the memorandum had been kept secret from both him and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his tenure.

In August 2024, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the existence of the memorandum but acknowledged that the ministry itself did not possess the document. The revelation raised further questions about how a decision affecting Armenia’s borders and transportation infrastructure was implemented without the involvement of the country’s diplomatic establishment.

Government Explanations and the Administrative Borders Argument

Following the withdrawal from positions near the Goris–Kapan highway and the partial loss of Shurnukh, Armenian authorities argued that the changes reflected Soviet-era administrative boundaries between the Armenian SSR and Azerbaijani SSR.

Officials maintained that the affected areas fell within the former administrative borders of Soviet Azerbaijan and that the process was based on existing maps rather than a political concession.

Critics, however, rejected this explanation, arguing that no formal border delimitation or demarcation process had been completed and that the withdrawal was carried out without a publicly available legal framework. Opposition figures have repeatedly claimed that invoking the law on administrative-territorial division did not provide sufficient legal grounds for surrendering strategic positions or altering the status quo on the ground.

“Just a Text on an A4 Sheet”

When an unofficial version of the memorandum began circulating online in early 2021, government representatives questioned its authenticity.

At the time, some officials dismissed the leaked document, with one pro-government lawmaker describing it as merely a text typed on an A4 sheet of paper and presented as fact. Yet years later, Armenian authorities would officially acknowledge that a memorandum did in fact exist.

Despite this acknowledgement, the full official text remains unpublished.

The Impact on Shurnukh

The consequences of the withdrawal were felt most visibly in the Syunik village of Shurnukh. Following the implementation of the new arrangements, twelve houses on the eastern side of the village came under Azerbaijani control based on Soviet-era maps. Residents were forced to leave their homes, and the Armenian government later launched a compensation and housing program for affected families.

The village became a symbol of the broader uncertainty surrounding border changes in Syunik after the war.

A Strategic Highway

The Goris–Kapan highway served as the principal north-south route connecting Syunik with the rest of Armenia. After portions of the road came under Azerbaijani control, Armenia was forced to accelerate construction and use of alternative routes through Tatev and surrounding communities. Azerbaijani checkpoints later appeared on sections of the road, further reducing its practical use for Armenian traffic.

Questions That Remain

The controversy surrounding the Goris–Kapan road is no longer simply about a highway. It has become a broader debate about transparency, decision-making, and accountability in the aftermath of the 2020 war.

Several questions remain unanswered:

  • Why has the memorandum never been officially published?
  • Why was Azerbaijan not a signatory to the document that facilitated the transfer?
  • Why was the Armenian Foreign Ministry reportedly excluded from the process?
  • What legal basis was ultimately used to justify the withdrawal?
  • Were alternative arrangements considered before the positions were surrendered?

Until the document is released in full, the circumstances surrounding the transfer of control over sections of the Goris–Kapan road and part of Shurnukh are likely to remain one of the most disputed chapters of post-war Armenian politics.