Erdogan Praises Azerbaijan as the “Architect of Peace” in the South Caucasus, While Ignoring Armenia’s Ongoing Peace Efforts

World leaders have gathered in Antalya, Turkey, for the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Among them were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The two leaders held a high-profile meeting that caught the attention of many in the region — especially Armenians — because it touched on sensitive issues of peace, power, and diplomacy in the South Caucasus.

According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, President Erdogan expressed satisfaction with what he called the “peace process” between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He also described Azerbaijan as the “architect of peace” in the South Caucasus — a statement that raised eyebrows across the Armenian world.

But what kind of peace is being discussed? And who is truly building it?

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a yearly event where global leaders talk about international cooperation. President Erdogan's office shared a readout after the meeting, highlighting the topics discussed: energy, transportation, defense — and peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Erdogan praised Azerbaijan’s role, saying the country is leading the way toward peace. He also mentioned that Turkey is proceeding “carefully” with its own normalization process with Armenia. This means Turkey is taking steps to improve its relationship with Armenia, but slowly and cautiously.

What was missing from Erdogan’s comments, however, was any recognition of Armenia’s continued commitment to peace. Since the end of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and especially after the full Azerbaijani occupation in 2023, the Armenian government has shown strong efforts toward regional stability. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly supported a peace agreement based on clear international borders and mutual respect.

Armenia has also called for international support in protecting the rights of Armenians who were forced out of Nagorno-Karabakh — an issue that remains unresolved. The country has opened itself to peace talks through European and American mediation and has not taken military action despite provocations and border pressures.

Labeling Azerbaijan as the sole “architect of peace” does not reflect the full truth. While Azerbaijan may say it wants peace, its actions often speak louder. In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a deadly attack that led to the forced displacement of more than 120,000 Armenians from their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh. These people are now refugees in Armenia and abroad. No one has been held accountable for this humanitarian crisis.

True peace comes from mutual trust, dialogue, and compromise — not from praising one side and ignoring the other.

Turkey’s role in the region is powerful. As a close ally of Azerbaijan, Turkey has influence over how peace can be shaped in the South Caucasus. But if Turkey wants to be a bridge between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it must act fairly. That means acknowledging Armenia’s role in the peace process, supporting humanitarian efforts, and opening the door to genuine reconciliation.

The people of Armenia, especially the younger generation, want peace. They want to live without fear, without war, and with dignity. But peace must be based on truth and justice — not political favoritism.

As the world watches the South Caucasus, it’s important for international leaders to see the full picture. Armenians are not just passive observers. They are working toward a future where the region is safe, stable, and peaceful for everyone.

Turkey and Azerbaijan may hold talks behind closed doors, but real peace needs open and honest conversations that include Armenia — not just as a topic, but as a partner.

It’s time to stop rewriting the narrative. Armenia is not the obstacle to peace. In many ways, it is one of its strongest voices.