Tensions escalate as another obstacle hinders the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace negotiation process.
In a surprising turn of events, the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process seems to be taking a step back, following recent remarks by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. These comments suggest that negotiations might be on hold, with Baku shaking up the process.
Aliyev's speech, made in Jabrayil on October 4, carries a grim tone that raises questions about the future of peace talks. He warned Armenia against rearming with the aim of reversing their loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, recalling the brutal 44-day conflict in 2020. During this conflict, Azerbaijan regained most of the territory it had previously lost in the First Karabakh War.
The speech came just days after a meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in New York, facilitated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Both sides had pledged to intensify efforts to conclude a peace treaty following these discussions. However, Aliyev's speech seemed to backtrack on this commitment due to pointed criticism of the United States and, in particular, Blinken.
Aliyev, in his speech, criticized the U.S. and Blinken for allegedly playing a double game—touting peace while pushing for sanctions against Baku. He also harshly criticized France, a strong supporter of Armenia in recent years. In response, Armenia emphasized that recent arms acquisitions were solely for defensive purposes and reiterated their recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had expressed hope for a peace deal in his speech at the UN General Assembly in late September, but only days later, he expressed doubts about Azerbaijan's commitment to finalizing a peace treaty. Pashinyan's seemingly contradictory statements only underscore the zig-zag nature of the peace process.
Following Aliyev's speech, Armenian officials questioned whether Azerbaijan remains committed to the established framework for peace, as outlined in the Alma-Ata Declaration. Azerbaijan has yet to officially respond, but Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizade has dismissed Armenian concerns about Azerbaijan's arms procurement as disingenuous.
Officials in Yerevan have consistently claimed that they are ready to sign a peace treaty based on agreements already reached during negotiations, while setting unresolved issues aside for further discussion at a later date. Baku, on the other hand, insists that no deal is possible unless Armenia amends its constitution to unequivocally recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Karabakh.
Amidst these rocky negotiations, significant challenges remain, including ongoing territorial disputes, humanitarian concerns, and geopolitical tensions. The international community, including the U.S. and European Council, has expressed support for the peace agreement, but the process remains fragile.
- Recent comments from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev suggest that the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan may be rooted in conflict once again, as news of war-and-conflicts resurfaces.
- Aliyev's speech, filled with political criticism, raises questions about the future of policy-and-legislation regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as his remarks seem to backtrack on earlier commitments for a peace treaty.
- The general news regarding the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process is now overshadowed by heavy tension and disagreements, making it difficult to forecast the resolution of this decades-long conflict.
