Azerbaijan, OSCE explore new avenues for peace, reconstruction in South Caucasus UPDATED

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov welcomed a delegation led by OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu to Baku for a round of in-depth discussions on regional security, post-conflict development, and the evolving peace process in the South Caucasus.

The meeting started with a bilateral session between the heads of delegation, followed by expanded negotiations involving officials from both sides. The dialogue focused on the current status and future potential of Azerbaijan–OSCE cooperation, regional challenges, and the broader geopolitical landscape, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Central to the discussions was the post-conflict environment following Azerbaijan’s restoration of control over its territories, and the ongoing normalization process between Baku and Yerevan. Both sides acknowledged the complexity of the regional context and the necessity for the OSCE to adapt to emerging realities in order to remain an effective multilateral platform.

Minister Bayramov highlighted Azerbaijan’s long-standing engagement with the OSCE, dating back to the early years of its independence, and emphasized that the current phase offers extensive opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation. He also briefed Secretary General Sinirlioğlu on reconstruction and development efforts in the liberated territories, including the large-scale return of internally displaced persons and the government's demining initiatives.

It was noted that the OSCE could play a constructive role in post-conflict recovery, particularly in technical areas such as demining operations and environmental assessments, underscoring the importance of practical, on-the-ground collaboration.

The sides also addressed the status of peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In this context, Azerbaijani officials reiterated that for a lasting agreement to be signed, Armenia must remove territorial claims embedded in its constitution. They also stressed the need to formally dissolve outdated OSCE structures, including the Minsk Group, the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, and the High-Level Planning Group, which are seen as no longer relevant to the current regional realities.

In addition to regional affairs, broader international security issues were reviewed, reflecting the shared interest of both parties in strengthening multilateral engagement through effective and responsive diplomacy.

The meeting concluded with a joint press briefing, during which Foreign Minister Bayramov and Secretary General Sinirlioğlu made official statements and answered questions from the media, reaffirming a commitment to ongoing dialogue and mutual cooperation in addressing both regional and global challenges. 

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Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu held an expanded meeting to discuss key issues of mutual interest.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a post regarding the meeting on its official X account, Caliber.Az reports.

An expanded format meeting between Foreign Minister @Bayramov_Jeyhun and @OSCE SecGen Feridun Sinirlioğlu has started.

The importance of OSCE principles such as sovereignty and territorial integrity was emphasized as a foundation for restoring trust and sustainable peace.

Views… pic.twitter.com/JY4TucR0Pe

— MFA Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 (@AzerbaijanMFA) April 25, 2025

“An expanded format meeting between Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu has started.

The importance of OSCE principles such as sovereignty and territorial integrity was emphasized as a foundation for restoring trust and sustainable peace.

Views were shared on adapting the OSCE to new realities, strengthening multilateralism, and addressing emerging threats within the organization’s framework,” the post by the ministry notes.

By Vafa Guliyeva