Azerbaijan and Armenia have announced that they have finalized the text of a peace agreement aimed at resolving their long-standing conflict over the region of Karabakh.
Both nations confirmed that the treaty is ready for signing, marking a significant step forward in normalizing relations after decades of tension and violence.
The two countries fought two wars over Karabakh, one at the end of the Soviet Union and another in 2020. Azerbaijan seized control of the entire region in a rapid offensive in September 2023.
The peace deal, which would end the conflict, has been in the works for some time, with both sides recently agreeing on the unresolved points of the treaty.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov confirmed that Armenia accepted Azerbaijan’s proposals on the two previously unresolved aspects of the peace treaty. Armenia’s foreign ministry later echoed the announcement, stating that the peace agreement was ready for signing.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hailed the deal as an “important event” and expressed that Yerevan was now prepared to discuss the timing and location for signing the agreement. “We believe this text is a compromise, as a peace agreement should be,” Pashinyan added.
The announcement has been welcomed internationally. France’s President Emmanuel Macron expressed support, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that there were “no remaining obstacles” to signing the peace treaty, which could lead to lasting peace in the South Caucasus region.
However, despite the positive news, Armenia did criticize Azerbaijan for issuing a unilateral statement regarding the peace deal, rather than a joint statement. This slight reveals some underlying tensions between the two nations.
In a significant shift, Armenia has recognized Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Karabakh, marking an important step in normalizing relations. Additionally, Armenia returned several border villages to Azerbaijan last year, a gesture aimed at easing tensions.
Despite progress, challenges remain. One key unresolved issue involves the non-deployment of third-party forces along the shared border.
Another concern involves the mutual withdrawal of legal cases from international courts. The two countries have been engaged in legal battles at various international judicial bodies over rights violations committed during past conflicts.
Azerbaijan is also seeking constitutional changes in Armenia, particularly the removal of references to territorial claims over Karabakh. Any changes to Armenia’s constitution would require a national referendum.
As the two countries move forward in the peace process, there is hope that this breakthrough will lead to a new chapter of peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus.
