Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that international partners are actively seeking to arrange a summit involving Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, but there is currently no agreement in place. He noted that the process remains exploratory and that discussions at the level of foreign ministers have not produced a formal mandate or timetable for such a meeting. This clarification comes as regional mediators and allied states weigh new proposals and attempt to map a path toward direct leadership talks, with both sides watching closely for signals that could unlock broader peace negotiations [source: Armenian Foreign Ministry briefings].
During a briefing, Mirzoyan emphasized that while efforts to convene a leaders’ meeting continue, no consensus exists yet among foreign ministers about holding this high-level encounter. He stressed the need for a clear framework and mutual assurances before any summit could be set, underscoring the sensitivity of the process and the complexity of reaching a durable agreement in the South Caucasus [Armenian Foreign Ministry briefing].
On January 4, Azerbaijan’s Vice President and Head of the Presidential Foreign Policy Administration Department, Hikmet Hajiyev, announced that significant progress had been achieved on the peace treaty text between Baku and Yerevan. He added that numerous issues remain unresolved and described the overall schedule as positive, signaling cautious optimism about advancing the negotiation tranche even as substantive gaps persist [Baku officials].
Earlier, Nikol Pashinyan indicated that Yerevan had invited Baku to sign a treaty that would incorporate mutual arms control provisions, signaling a willingness to anchor security arrangements within a comprehensive political settlement. The Armenian leadership framed the proposal as a practical step toward reducing tensions and enhancing regional stability through verifiable controls and transparency measures [official statements].
Previously, Pashinyan outlined who he believes does not want peace between Yerevan and Baku, framing the peace process as a contest between constructive engagement and obstructive actors. The statement highlighted internal and regional dynamics that could influence the pace and scope of any bilateral agreement, as well as the importance of sustained international engagement to overcome remaining obstacles and build confidence on the ground [policy commentary].