Council of Europe welcomes draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, has expressed strong support for the recent completion of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on a draft Peace Agreement and the establishment of interstate relations.

In his statement, Berset remarked, “By joining the Council of Europe in 2001, both countries pledged to work towards peaceful cooperation. This draft Agreement shows the desire of both member states to realize this potential and build a stable and lasting peace in the region.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining the momentum for peace, highlighting the need for a smooth conclusion to the process in a spirit of good-neighbourly relations.

“It is now crucial to maintain this momentum and to ensure a smooth conclusion of this process in a spirit of good-neighbourly relations and with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries, in accordance with the Statute of the Council of Europe,” Berset added.

The Secretary-General reiterated the Council of Europe’s full support for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, promising continued support to both countries, particularly in ensuring respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

“The Council of Europe fully supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and will continue to provide support and assistance to both Member States, in particular with a view to ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,” Berset said.

This statement follows the announcement on March 13 by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, which reaffirmed Baku’s commitment to continuing dialogue with Armenia after successfully completing negotiations on the draft Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations.

On the Armenian side, the Armenian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Armenia had accepted Azerbaijan’s proposals on the two remaining disputed issues. This development signals that the peace agreement is now ready for formal signing.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also confirmed that both countries had agreed on the terms of the draft treaty and reiterated Azerbaijan’s commitment to advancing peace and stability efforts in the South Caucasus.

By Tamilla Hasanova