Armenian official hails peace progress with Baku, notes unresolved issues

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan said the peace process with Azerbaijan has produced tangible results, while acknowledging that “not all problems have been resolved yet.”

In a video address marking the first anniversary of the peace declaration initialled in Washington between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Rubinyan said the agreement had delivered changes that sceptics had not expected, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

"A year ago, when the peace declaration was signed in Washington, sceptics did not believe it would lead to real peace. They did not believe it would put an end to the endless exchanges of fire and casualties along the border. They did not believe that we would emerge from a state of blockade," he said.

Rubinyan said Armenia had moved beyond what he described as a state of blockade and had begun experiencing the benefits of regional connectivity, including rail access to the outside world through Azerbaijani territory.

He also pointed to developments in Armenia’s relations with Türkiye, saying Ankara had recently lifted restrictions on Armenia’s use of its railway network.

"This is real peace, and it is something to be welcomed. We deserve peace. Yes, not all problems have been resolved yet," Rubinyan said.

By Sabina Mammadli