EU Applauds Armenia and Azerbaijan's Peace Agreement Progress

The European Union has expressed its approval following the recent conclusion of peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling it a significant advancement in resolving their long-standing conflict.

On Thursday, both nations announced that discussions aimed at settling decades of discord had reached a crucial milestone, with an agreement on the text of a potential treaty achieved.

Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, highlighted this development on social media, describing it as a pivotal step toward the full normalization of relations between the two countries and the opening up of the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron also celebrated the announcement, indicating that there are now no barriers preventing the signing of a peace treaty.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that the agreement is prepared for signing. It stated that Armenia has accepted Azerbaijan's proposals concerning two previously contentious aspects of the draft and is ready to negotiate with Azerbaijan regarding the timing and location for the signing of the treaty.

Conversely, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry acknowledged the conclusion of negotiations but stressed that Armenia must amend its constitution and renounce any territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Specifically, Baku is demanding the removal of references to Armenia's declaration of independence from its constitution, as this declaration asserts territorial claims over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Such constitutional amendments would necessitate a referendum in Armenia.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have engaged in two significant wars over the control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is populated primarily by Armenians. The first conflict occurred at the end of the Soviet Union, and the second took place in 2020. In September 2023, following a swift offensive, Azerbaijan regained control over the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region.

While Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, it had functioned as a self-declared independent region since the 1990s, supported by Armenia and Russia. In the wake of the September 2023 conflict, over 100,000 Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, citing fears of repression. Yerevan accused Baku of ethnic cleansing and forcible expulsion.

Both nations have repeatedly asserted that a comprehensive peace agreement to resolve their protracted conflict is attainable. However, previous negotiations have not reached a consensus on a draft agreement.