Pashinyan and Aliyev Meet at BRICS Summit in Russia To Discuss Peace Agenda

On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, a meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan took place. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan sat down to discuss the path forward for their countries. The meeting was part of the broader BRICS+ summit, where world leaders gather to discuss global issues, but this particular conversation had significant regional importance.

This was not the first time Pashinyan and Aliyev had crossed paths during the summit. They had already exchanged a few words earlier at a roundtable event, but this formal meeting was a deeper conversation about the future of their countries' relationship. Along with the two leaders, high-ranking officials from both Armenia and Azerbaijan joined the discussions, showing the seriousness of the talks.

The foreign ministers of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, were also present. They have been involved in the delicate negotiations over the past months, focusing on issues that have long been sources of tension between the two nations. The deputy prime ministers, Mher Grigoryan of Armenia and Shahin Mustafayev of Azerbaijan, also played a role, which shows the broad involvement of both governments in these talks.

At the heart of the discussions were efforts to advance a peace agenda. Both leaders addressed the need for a peace agreement that would resolve ongoing disputes. One of the most crucial aspects was the delimitation and demarcation of borders. For years, the two countries have disagreed on where exactly the border lies, especially around the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, leading to violence and instability. A clear and agreed-upon border is seen as a fundamental step toward lasting peace.

In addition to the borders, the two sides talked about establishing formal interstate relations. The goal is to move from a state of conflict to one of cooperation, where both nations can work together for the benefit of their people.

The meeting concluded with an agreement that the foreign ministers of both countries would continue bilateral talks. These talks will focus on finalizing the Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. Both Pashinyan and Aliyev expressed the desire to reach a formal agreement as quickly as possible, understanding that the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan need a resolution to these long-standing issues.

The negotiations are expected to be challenging. Despite the progress made in this meeting, the deep historical wounds and the complexity of the issues at hand will require careful and patient diplomacy. However, the fact that both leaders have committed to continuing the process is a positive sign. The involvement of high-ranking officials from both countries indicates that the talks are being treated with the importance they deserve.