The three leaders gathered in Brussels for a trilateral session that brings together the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. The talks mark a critical step as the parties explore a roadmap for regional stability and the path to a durable peace settlement in the South Caucasus. The dialogue centers on a draft peace agreement and the normalization of diplomatic and economic ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan, aiming to reduce tensions and create predictable conditions for citizens and businesses on both sides of the border.
During the meeting, participants reassessed the core elements of the proposed agreement, including security guarantees, the status of disputed territories, and the mechanisms needed to monitor and verify commitments. While substantive questions remain, there is a shared commitment to advancing diplomacy as the primary channel for resolving differences. There is also open consideration of a broader regional framework that could involve neighboring states and international partners in supporting a sustainable peace process.
Reports indicate that Pashinyan and Aliyev may hold a bilateral discussion in Chisinau on 1 June as part of the European Political Community summit. Such a side meeting would provide an opportunity to address open issues directly and test the pace at which technical details can be translated into political commitments. The prospect underscores the importance of continuous dialogue and quick follow-up actions to build confidence between the two sides.
In Armenia, authorities have reiterated the importance of judicial and procedural steps that could facilitate progress toward a treaty. Observers note that while legal and procedural hurdles exist, the focus remains on safeguarding national interests while seeking constructive engagement with Baku. The Armenian leadership emphasizes that any eventual peace agreement would be grounded in mutual recognition of security concerns and the prospect of long-term stability for citizens in the region.
According to Armenian officials, Azerbaijan continues to present a posture that is seen as challenging to Armenia’s territorial integrity. The language used by both sides reflects a broader pattern of tensions along the common border and in the contested zone of Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite these pressures, Yerevan maintains a policy of pursuing diplomatic channels as the primary route to de-escalation, emphasizing that concrete steps toward normalization could emerge from continued negotiations. The Armenian side has underscored a readiness to sign a comprehensive peace agreement if security guarantees and mutually acceptable terms are achieved, aligning with a broader objective of regional reconciliation and stability.