Azerbaijan, Armenia to withdraw lawsuits after peace agreement, deputy FM says

Azerbaijan and Armenia will withdraw their mutual lawsuits from international courts following the signing of a peace treaty between the two nations, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov said.

Mammadov confirmed that the process is progressing in this direction, following the completion of negotiations on the text of the peace agreement, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

"After the Patriotic War, Azerbaijan filed interstate suits against Armenia in international courts over issues such as the 30-year occupation, ethnic cleansing, and other international crimes," he explained. "These lawsuits are at various stages, including in the European Court of Human Rights, the International Court of Justice, and the International Court of Arbitration."

Mammadov noted that over the past two years, significant efforts had been made to reach an agreement aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov had previously announced that 17 articles of the peace agreement had been agreed upon.

"Following the signing of the peace treaty, the mutual lawsuits will be withdrawn, as outlined in one of the last two articles of the agreement," Mammadov emphasized. "This is a crucial part of the peace process, and both parties have committed to removing their cases from international courts once the treaty is finalized."

Looking ahead, Mammadov stated that Azerbaijan expects Armenia to amend its Constitution, specifically eliminating territorial claims against Azerbaijan. He also highlighted the importance of both nations applying to the OSCE Minsk Group for its dissolution, as the group was previously involved in conflict resolution.

"At this stage, the ball is in Armenia’s court. We are waiting for their next steps in the process," Mammadov added. "Currently, there are no plans for a meeting between the foreign ministers."

The peace agreement, once signed, is expected to bring an end to years of legal and political disputes, paving the way for a new phase of cooperation and stability between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

By Vafa Guliyeva