Peace Talks Begin Between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev have directed their foreign ministries to commence preparations for formal peace discussions. This decision followed a tripartite meeting in Brussels with Charles Michel, the President of the European Council.
A bilateral commission will be formed to address the demarcation of the border and to tackle security and stability concerns along the frontier.
During his Brussels remarks, Michel highlighted the momentum toward dialogue. He noted that the European Union places great importance on stability and well‑being in Transcaucasia and supports confidence‑building measures. He said progress had been made and that negotiations toward a possible peace agreement would begin, expressing optimism about gains in the weeks ahead.
He also conveyed hopes that continued advancement will occur soon.
What might the peace agreement cover?
Aydin Mirzazadeh, a deputy in Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, suggested that the signing would likely focus on recognizing territorial integrity, defining borders between the two states, and establishing good neighborly relations. He asserted that the issue of Karabakh’s status would not be on the agenda for Azerbaijan, stressing that the country recognizes the inhabitants as citizens and would safeguard their civil rights. He indicated there would be no separate Karabakh clause in the peace agreement.
Mirzazadeh also contended that if talks return to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Baku would not concede on fundamental points. He stated that the status of Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian nationality would not be addressed in the deal, and that Armenia would be urged to respect Azerbaijan’s borders and sovereignty.
Analysts note that the dispute goes beyond Nagorno‑Karabakh, reflecting broader strains between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including communication gaps and regional dynamics, such as the Turkish factor in bilateral relations.
Mukhanov explained that some temporary arrangements could define the Karabakh issue, while Armenia’s domestic audience might resist fully aligning with Azerbaijani demands. He warned that the Armenian leadership could face public scrutiny if expectations are not met.
He also pointed out the broader demographic reality, stating that the Armenian population in Nagorno‑Karabakh has been shrinking and remains a significant factor in any discussions about safety and civil rights in the region.
Is a comprehensive Armenia–Azerbaijan peace treaty likely?
Experts spoken to by socialbites.ca generally doubt that a full peace agreement will be achieved in the near term. Alexander Iskandaryan, director of the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan, observed that the two countries hold fundamentally different visions for how a future regional order should look. He warned that the path forward would be difficult and that disagreements remain substantial.
Iskandaryan emphasized that both sides have an interest in setting parameters for future relations, yet he doubted immediate consensus due to numerous potential pitfalls and existing inconsistencies.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Aydın Mirzazade reinforced the official stance that recognizing Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and state borders is a priority, as reflected on maps from the former Soviet Union era.