After the border struggles between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, which took place between July 12 and 16, Baku brought forth accusations against Belgrade and neighboring Georgia. In an article entitled “Serbia usent mortars to bomb Towus with the help of Georgia”, the government-related website “Haqqin.az” reported on July 19 about an alleged secret arms delivery from Serbia to Armenia. These were allegedly mortars that were used against Azerbaijan during the recent escalation along the border. The weapons were transported from Russia across Georgian territory.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan retains close relations with both Serbia and Georgia. On July 20, Serbian Ambassador (Charge d'affaires interimere) Dani Vanovitch was appointed to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Halaf Halafov informed the Serbian diplomat that Azerbaijan had “reliable and confirmed” information about Serbian arms deliveries to Armenia. Such an “unfriendly move” undermines the strategic relationship between Baku and Belgrade and is causing “bitter disappointment” in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is expecting an explanation from Serbia and the cessation of such activities, Halafov said. The Serbian diplomat emphasized that she did not have this information and would forward the request to the appropriate offices in Serbia.

The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contested the publication of Haqqin.az and expressed its regret for the allegedly misleading article, which aims to cast a shadow over the bilateral relations between Tbilisi and Baku. The allegations triggered a domestic dispute in Georgia, with opposition parties asking the government to make a statement. “We know that Russia's policy of destabilizing the region is partly based on the supply of arms to Armenia and Azerbaijan,” said Salome Samadashvili of the United National Movement, the largest opposition group, Eurasianet reported. “As far as Georgia is concerned, we have an international obligation not to allow the transit of arms through our territory.”

It should be noted that the Georgian ambassador in Baku - unlike his Serbian counterpart -  has not yet been called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The tense situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border has been relatively stable since July 17. There are only occasional ceasefire violations and no new victims have been reported.