PM Nikol Pashinyan Announces Progress Toward Peace with Azerbaijan

At the Yerevan Dialogue 2024 international forum, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shared what he considers optimistic news regarding the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He mentioned the steps that have been made towards establishing lasting diplomatic relations and resolving long-standing issues between the two neighboring countries.

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Peace Treaty Advancements

Pashinyan revealed that around 80% of the draft peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan has already been agreed upon. Out of 13 main articles in the treaty, all have been finalized, along with the preamble. Additionally, there are three more articles in progress, with one sentence fully agreed upon in each. The Prime Minister emphasized that the key provisions, particularly those related to the establishment of diplomatic relations, have been finalized.

He expressed Armenia’s readiness to sign the agreed-upon sections of the treaty without delay. According to Pashinyan, the proposal to sign the current version of the treaty would create a solid foundation, with mechanisms in place to address unresolved issues later. He said Armenia is prepared to sign the document soon, ensuring that both nations can continue their dialogue through a joint mechanism as stipulated in the treaty.

Pashinyan stressed the importance of moving forward with the agreed sections, noting that any peace agreement cannot cover all issues at once. He urged both Armenia and Azerbaijan to seize this opportunity to formalize peace and establish diplomatic ties.

Border Delimitation and Regional Stability

Another crucial topic raised by the Armenian Prime Minister was the ongoing process of border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In a major move, the border commissions of both countries have recently signed regulations that will guide their joint activities. The Almaty Declaration of 1991 has been agreed upon as the guiding principle for this process.

Pashinyan emphasized the importance of these steps, as they mark a significant shift in his government’s negotiations. The Armenian government has already approved the necessary regulations and forwarded them to the Constitutional Court for a constitutionality review, aiming to complete this process promptly. This move is expected to strengthen regional stability by formally defining the borders between the two countries.

The Crossroads of Peace Initiative

Pashinyan also discussed Armenia’s ambitious Crossroads of Peace project, which seeks to enhance regional connectivity by opening transportation and communication links between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other neighboring countries. The project aims to establish new railways, roads, gas pipelines, and communication networks that would connect Armenia not only to Azerbaijan but also to Iran, Turkey, Russia, and Europe.

The Prime Minister emphasized that this project could be a game-changer for regional cooperation and economic development. Armenia is ready to provide access for Azerbaijan to connect with Turkey and Iran through its territory. Additionally, the project would allow Armenia to connect with Turkey, Iran, and Europe, significantly boosting trade and cooperation in the region.

However, Pashinyan expressed disappointment that some of Armenia’s partners have not yet taken advantage of this opportunity. He pointed out that the November 9, 2020, tripartite statement, which followed the brutal war in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), included provisions for reopening transport links. Contrary to some claims, Pashinyan stated that Armenia retains full control over its territory and the security of the communications that run through it.

Addressing Misconceptions about the November 9 Statement

In his address, Pashinyan clarified several misconceptions regarding the November 9, 2020, statement that ended the Nagorno-Karabakh war. He stated that the agreement’s primary goal was to unblock all regional transport links, not just those between Azerbaijan and its exclave, Nakhijevan. The Prime Minister emphasized that this clause had been misinterpreted by some parties to suggest that external forces should control communications through Armenian territory. He made it clear that Armenia retains full sovereignty over its borders and transport routes.

Furthermore, Pashinyan addressed the issue of refugees and displaced persons mentioned in the November 9 statement. He noted that while the document included a provision for the return of displaced Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, this had not yet happened. On the contrary, following the events of the past year, Nagorno-Karabakh had been largely depopulated of its Armenian residents due to ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan also said that Azerbaijan had not yet fulfilled its obligations regarding the return of Armenian prisoners of war and detainees, which was another key provision of the November 9 agreement. He pointed out that Armenia had met its obligations, but Azerbaijan and Russia had not fully implemented theirs.

Territorial Claims and Peaceful Resolutions

In response to accusations from Azerbaijan that Armenia’s constitution contains territorial claims against its neighbor, Pashinyan refuted these claims, stating that they are baseless. He explained that, on the contrary, Azerbaijan’s constitution includes territorial claims against Armenia. The 1991 constitutional act of Azerbaijan refers to the country’s borders as encompassing parts of Armenia, including several provinces such as Syunik and Vayots Dzor.

Pashinyan emphasized that despite these claims, Armenia does not raise this issue in negotiations. Instead, both countries have agreed in the draft peace treaty that neither side can use its domestic legislation as a reason to avoid implementing the treaty’s provisions.

A Path Forward

In conclusion, Pashinyan reiterated his commitment to moving forward with the peace process. He emphasized that Armenia and Azerbaijan now have what he described as a "control package" for the peace treaty, and it is time to act on what has already been agreed. He expressed hope that in the near future, the two countries could sign the agreed portion of the treaty and continue working on unresolved issues.