Azerbaijani Deputy FM: Peace process with Armenia at crucial stage

The normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia has entered a particularly critical phase, according to Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Yalchin Rafiyev.

Speaking to journalists, Rafiyev said two key conditions must be met for a peace agreement to be signed, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“There are two essential requirements for concluding a peace deal,” Rafiyev stated.

“Armenia must take concrete steps to fulfil these conditions. Rather than simply issuing calls for peace, practical actions are necessary.”

Azerbaijan has reiterated two key demands before signing a peace treaty with Armenia: the amendment of Armenia’s constitution and the formal dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Baku insists that Armenia must remove constitutional references implying territorial claims over Azerbaijani lands, particularly Karabakh. Despite Armenia’s acceptance of a draft peace agreement, Azerbaijan views constitutional reform—specifically changes to the 1990 Declaration of Independence—as a non-negotiable prerequisite.

Additionally, Azerbaijan is calling for the official disbandment of the OSCE Minsk Group, arguing that the body is obsolete and hampers progress toward lasting peace. Baku contends that the group’s continued existence reinforces outdated narratives and must be dissolved before any agreement is finalised.

By Aghakazim Guliyev