Ex-British envoy hails completion of Azerbaijan-Armenia talks on peace treaty terms

The completion of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the text of the peace agreement is a big and positive step forward, James Sharp, the former British Ambassador to Azerbaijan, told a Report correspondent in Khankendi.

The diplomat specifically highlighted the agreement on the last two points of the peace treaty text, Caliber.Az reports.

"Now, the main question is when the peace agreement will be signed. Armenia wants to sign the agreement now, but Azerbaijan has clearly stated that constitutional amendments in Armenia must first be made, and an agreement must be reached on matters related to the OSCE Minsk Group," he noted.

Sharp added that he understands Azerbaijan's demand, calling the issue complex.

"The fact that the parties were able to communicate without intermediaries, agree on a peace agreement bilaterally, and reach consensus on all articles is positive. I am very optimistic that this process will bear fruit, both countries will achieve peace, and as a result, the entire region will be able to develop."

On March 13, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the completion of negotiations on the text of the draft Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Baku and Yerevan. The last two points agreed upon were related to the non-deployment of third-party forces along the common border and a mutual waiver of claims in international courts. 

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 Khagan Isayev