In a major breakthrough in the volatile Caucasus region, Armenia and Azerbaijan have announced significant progress in peace talks as 2023 draws to a close. The culmination of these negotiations has been the release of a joint statement – a historic first since the republics gained independence – outlining the commitments of both nations to normalize relations and reach a peace agreement. This major diplomatic development has been welcomed by global powers such as Turkey, the US, the EU, and Russia.
The key turning point in these peace talks was Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to three out of five articles proposed by Azerbaijan for peace. This paved the way for the 6th round of negotiations, leading to a finalized written peace text. Further, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev confirmed the resolution of many issues within the peace agreement framework, and the Delimitation and Demarcation Commission reported considerable progress.
In a significant confidence-building move, Azerbaijan released 32 Armenian soldiers while Armenia reciprocated by releasing 2 Azerbaijani soldiers. Additionally, Armenia withdrew its candidacy to host COP29, yielding to Azerbaijan, which in turn backed Armenia’s candidacy for the COP Bureau of the Eastern European Group. These actions, coupled with bilateral statements released without third-party mediation and mutual support in international matters, underscore the major strides towards peace.
Several key factors contributed to this shift in diplomatic dynamics. The Azerbaijani army’s anti-terrorism actions against Armenian forces in Karabakh in September led to changes in military and diplomatic leverage. Moreover, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected 7 out of 10 Armenian demands, affirming Azerbaijan’s sovereignty in the others, which significantly influenced the negotiation climate. Armenia’s strategy to leverage EU and US support against Azerbaijan risked the West’s neutral mediator role and their strategic interests in the region, leading to a shift in Armenia’s diplomatic approach.
To conclude, this joint statement, released on December 7, 2023, marked an unprecedented milestone in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The absence of external pressure and the mutual support in international matters has been a significant step towards peace, signaling a new era of diplomatic relations in this historically tense region.
https://bnnbreaking.com/world/azerbaijan/armenia-and-azerbaijan-advance-peace-talks-release-joint-statement/