Armenia’s territorial claims remain major obstacle to peace, Azerbaijani FM tells UK colleague

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has emphasized that despite significant progress in negotiations for a peace agreement and the demarcation process, Armenia’s territorial claims, enshrined in its Constitution, continue to pose a major obstacle to achieving lasting peace in the region.

Bayramov voiced the remarks in a phone conversation with the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy on January 22, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's press statement.

Bayramov also informed David Lammy about the current regional situation and the process of normalizing relations with Armenia. 

During the phone call, the top diplomats discussed prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UK.

Lammy once again expressed his condolences regarding the crash of the aircraft operating the Baku–Grozny flight on December 25, 2024, as well as for the Day of National Mourning on January 20.

The UK minister stated that Britain is always ready to support the investigation into the causes of the crash.

Bayramov thanked Lammy for his condolences and solidarity, and informed him about the work done to investigate the causes of the aviation disaster.

The conversation also heard the parties note relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom have broad prospects in political, economic, energy, humanitarian, and other fields.

They emphasized the importance of activating mutual visits and political dialogue to deepen bilateral partnerships.

In conclusion, the sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Notably, the liberation in 2020 and 2023 of Azerbaijani lands from Armenian occupation and the full restoration of sovereignty in all Azerbaijani territories have created opportunities for peace between the two countries. However, Armenia's position on respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan remains ambiguous.

In the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the Republic of Armenia, among other legislative acts, territorial claims against Azerbaijan still remain.

The Declaration of Independence adopted by Armenia on August 23, 1990, refers to an act of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR of December 1, 1989, which considered Karabakh as a constituent part of Armenia. This assertion was later reflected in the preamble of the Constitution adopted on July 5, 1995, and was maintained during its amendments on November 27, 2005 and December 6, 2015.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly emphasized that a peace treaty with Armenia is contingent upon amendments to Armenia's constitution to remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan. He stated that the current constitution, which includes such claims, must be changed before any peace agreement can be signed. 

By Khagan Isayev