Armenian Economy Minister optimistic about peace talks with Azerbaijan

Armenian Deputy Economy Minister and Civil Contract Party Deputy Chairman Gevorg Papoyan reported positive developments in peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The course of the negotiations left a positive impression on me. I think that this process will conclude with the signing of a peace treaty.” However, he refrained from specifying a timeline for the agreement, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

On November 5, Armenia received new proposals from Azerbaijan regarding the peace treaty, according to Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan. "Today, we received the Azerbaijani side's responses regarding the draft peace treaty (11th version)," Badalyan confirmed, marking a significant step in ongoing discussions aimed at stabilizing relations between the two countries.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan previously announced that Armenia had submitted a comprehensive set of proposals to Azerbaijan to help finalize the peace agreement. “We have sent the latest package of proposals, and we are currently waiting for a response from the Azerbaijani side,” Hovhannisyan shared.

The peace process has involved continuous exchanges, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan sharing proposals and comments across ten rounds of formal submissions. 

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan indicated that Armenia proposed to sign a peace agreement based on provisions agreed upon so far. However, Azerbaijan has voiced a different stance, finding this approach unacceptable and maintaining a firm position on unresolved points.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Press Service head Aykhan Hajizada commented, “A document is not considered agreed upon until all its clauses are fully reconciled. The negotiations are conducted behind closed doors, and specific details are not shared publicly.” He added that about 80 per cent of the treaty clauses are currently agreed upon, but the unresolved issues remain critical. “For a peace agreement to be effective and lasting, the remaining points must be clarified across several areas.”

Hajizada emphasized a significant prerequisite for moving forward: “In order to sign the draft agreement, Armenia must amend its Constitution, which still includes territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Until Armenia removes these claims, peace between our two countries cannot be achieved.”

By Tamilla Hasanova