Azerbaijan's FM highlights Armenia's constitutional claims as peace barrier Diplomatic talks in Belgrade

On December 23, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, in a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Đurić in Belgrade, raised the issue of normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as obstacles to signing a peace treaty between the countries.

Among the challenges hindering the peace process, Bayramov pointed to unresolved issues in the peace agreement and Armenia's constitutional claims on Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, Caliber.Az reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Additionally, Bayramov stated that Yerevan's obstruction of the formal dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group contradicts the peace process.

The Azerbaijani top diplomat provided detailed information on the extensive reconstruction and development projects being carried out in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, as well as projects in Karabakh and East Zangezur.

Besides, the meeting expressed satisfaction with the development of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Syria, based on mutual respect and trust, adherence to international law, and mutual support for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The importance of reciprocal high-level visits and friendly relations between the leaders of the two states was highlighted as a key factor contributing to the development of this strategic partnership.

The two sides noted the strong level of cooperation in areas such as energy security, transportation, culture, and tourism, while emphasizing the need to strengthen ties in the sectors of economy, trade, and investment. They also stressed the importance of continuing mutual support and solidarity within regional and international organizations.

During the meeting, Bayramov briefed Marko Đurić on the outcomes of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and Azerbaijan's plans for the development of "green" energy.

For the record, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is presently on a working visit to Belgrade, Serbia.

Let's note that President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has repeatedly highlighted a key issue that caused the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia to be stalled: the constitutional claims of Armenia that contain territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Specifically, Armenia’s constitution includes a reference to the 1990 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union, which cites an act from 1989. This act calls for the unification of Armenia with the internationally recognized Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, effectively asserting a territorial claim over the region. According to Azerbaijan, this constitutional reference could serve as a legal basis for future territorial ambitions and potential conflict, should a future Armenian government interpret it as such.

The situation is further complicated by Armenia’s resistance to the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, an international organization established to mediate the Karabakh conflict. While the group has been largely inactive for years, it has remained formally intact. Azerbaijan has called for its formal dissolution, saying that its continued existence creates unnecessary obstacles to a lasting peace. However, Armenia’s agreement is needed to terminate the group, which has contributed to delays in the signing of a comprehensive peace treaty between the two countries.

By Khagan Isayev