Azerbaijani envoy to UK accuses Armenia of stalling peace process

In a recent article published in The Telegraph, Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, addressed the “baseless accusations” against Azerbaijan in the run-up to the COP29 summit, which the country will host next month.

This marks the first time COP29 will be held in the region, an event Suleymanov emphasizes will focus on "tangible progress on climate finance, carbon markets, and solutions for Small Island Developing States," Caliber.Az reports.

Suleymanov criticized those who see COP as merely a “kitchen sink discussion club with little real-life impact,” highlighting Azerbaijan’s determination to replace talk with “agreed, practical mechanisms for action.”

Peace Progress with Armenia

In his article, Suleymanov drew attention to the significant progress made between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that the decision to host COP29 in Baku followed a “breakthrough agreement” between the two nations, a result of "direct, constructive talks."

“Armenia and Azerbaijan are closer to a peace agreement than ever before,” the ambassador stated, pointing to the work of border delimitation commissions and a de-facto peace on the ground.

Suleymanov further reminded readers that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity was restored in line with “four UN Security Council resolutions” after decades of occupation by Armenia, rejecting recent criticisms. He also dismissed the "commotion" over Foreign Secretary Lammy's remarks, reiterating that Azerbaijan’s liberation of its territories was in accordance with international law.

Armenia’s Negotiation Tactics

Suleymanov accused Armenia of stalling the peace process, describing it as a "key negotiating strategy," and called out Yerevan's inconsistent behavior.

“With no evidence save for rhetoric, this is an attempt at diplomatic gaslighting,” he wrote, referring to Armenia’s claims that Azerbaijan is responsible for delaying peace talks.

The ambassador also criticized Armenia’s dependence on foreign influence, stating, “Armenia has never really assumed full sovereignty because of external economic and military debt,” and calling on Armenian leaders to "end dependency on external protectors" and focus on regional partnerships.

Final Words

Suleymanov concluded with a call for practical steps towards peace, urging both sides to focus on “removing real obstacles to a long-lasting, sustainable peace.” He warned against political maneuvering, saying that "no foreign treaty is above the Constitution," a lesson learned from Armenia’s rejection of the Zurich Protocol with Türkiye.

“The people of Armenia and Azerbaijan deserve no less,” he concluded.

By Khagan Isayev