Azerbaijani analyst: Armenia shouldn't insist on preserving OSCE MG if it has no territorial claims

Farid Shafiyev, an Azerbaijani political analyst, Chairman of the Board of the Baku-based Center for Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), has stated that Armenia should not insist on maintaining the OSCE Minsk Group if it does not have territorial claims on Azerbaijan. 

Speaking to journalists, Shafiyev emphasized that Armenia must make constitutional amendments to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

According to Shafiyev, such constitutional changes align with global practices, citing the example of the dispute between North Macedonia and Greece, which was resolved through constitutional amendments. Therefore, Azerbaijan’s demand for constitutional changes in Armenia is fully justified, he added.

Shafiyev also pointed out the contradiction in Armenia's position, noting that while it claims not to have territorial disputes with Azerbaijan, it continues to push for the continuation of the OSCE Minsk Group. "If there are no territorial claims, why insist on the continuation of its operation?" Shafiyev questioned. "If Armenia is truly committed to peace, this should be documented."

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.

By Khagan Isayev