Azerbaijani diplomat outlines last remaining obstacles to peace deal with Armenia Guest contribution for Norwegian “Geopolitika”

The Norwegian Geopolitika publication has published an article by Azerbaijan's ambassador to the Scandinavian nations in which he outlines the obstacles that are holding both sides back from signing the long-awaited peace deal.

According to Ambassador Zaur Ahmadov, who is serving as the head of the diplomatic mission to Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark, the path toward peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan requires courage and responsibility as several crucial steps remain before the agreement can be signed and implemented, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"The biggest obstacle is legal and political: Armenia's constitution still contains provisions that claim parts of Azerbaijan's territory – especially Karabakh. This is incompatible with the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Armenia claims that these formulations have no practical significance. But our experience suggests otherwise. Historical examples show that the Armenian Constitution has been used in the past to justify illegal political ambitions. This cannot be ignored," he urges in his guest contribution which has been published on July 30.

Ahmadov emphasizes that this is precisely why Azerbaijan insists on the removal of all official references to territorial claims against its territories. The ambassador points out that this not only a pre-requisite for the establishment of trust but would also serve to prevent future Armenian governments from using the constitution as a pretext to withdraw from the peace agreement.

He also touched upon the outdated negotiating format within the OSCE – the so-called Minsk Group, which for over 30 years did little other than preserving the then-status quo.

"The Minsk Group has outlived its role. Today, Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiate directly – without third-party mediation. [...] We believe that Armenia should agree to ask the OSCE to dismantle the mechanism that was created to deal with a conflict that no longer exists," Ahmadov writes.

The article emphasizes that Azerbaijan, despite decades of occupation and destruction, has not made financial compensation a condition for peace but rather focused on demining, reconstruction, and the return of displaced people—over 50,000 have already returned to Karabakh and East Zangezur.

A peace agreement, the author argues, would benefit both Armenia and Azerbaijan and enhance stability across the South Caucasus while strengthening regional ties with Europe. A key part of this vision is the Zangezur Corridor, which would improve regional connectivity. "Azerbaijan has already started to build its part of the infrastructure. If Armenia wants to participate, the door is open. But the future belongs to those who build bridges – not those who maintain barriers," he urges.

The ambassador stresses that the next step lies with Armenia: to amend its constitution and renounce outdated territorial claims, paving the way for a transformative peace deal.

By Nazrin Sadigova