Armenia and Azerbaijan Leaders Hold Peace Talks in the United Arab Emirates
The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have convened peace talks in the United Arab Emirates, a development reflecting a significant diplomatic effort towards resolving a conflict that has persisted for nearly four decades. This high-level meeting, taking place in Abu Dhabi, saw the participation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, marking a pivotal moment for the two nations that have encountered a series of conflicts since the late 1980s over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The backdrop to these negotiations includes the finalization of a draft peace agreement in March, which both governments have since endorsed. The unrest between Armenia and Azerbaijan intensified last September when Azerbaijan launched a rapid offensive to reclaim control over the contested Karabakh region, leading to a significant exodus of Armenian residents—approximately 100,000—who sought refuge in Armenia.
Despite the promising framework established in previous discussions, uncertainty lingers regarding the timeline for finalizing a peace deal. Following the initial announcement of the draft agreement, ceasefire violations had surged along the heavily militarized 1,000-kilometer border, although recent reports indicate that tensions have eased, contributing to an optimistic atmosphere for continued dialogue.
A notable point of contention that has arisen in negotiations is Azerbaijan’s request for Armenia to amend its constitution. Azerbaijan asserts that certain constitutional provisions imply claims to Azerbaijani territory, a viewpoint that Yerevan firmly disputes. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Pashinyan has acknowledged the need to modernize Armenia’s founding charter to reflect contemporary realities, a gesture aimed at fostering a collaborative approach.
In addition to constitutional considerations, Azerbaijan is advocating for the establishment of a transport corridor through Armenia. This corridor would strategically link Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani enclave, to the larger Azerbaijani territory. Such developments underscore the multifaceted nature of the discussions, which also include regional dynamics and international perspectives.
The last meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev occurred in May during the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania. In a sign of evolving regional relationships, Pashinyan’s rare visit to Istanbul in June for discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was lauded by Armenia as a significant step toward achieving lasting peace in the region.
Recent remarks from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism for a swift resolution to the ongoing tensions, which historically prompted mass demographic shifts, with substantial upheavals affecting both populations.
As diplomatic efforts progress, the international community remains hopeful that lasting peace will soon be achieved, providing a foundation for stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus.
#MiddleEastNews #PoliticsNews
