High-level talks in Baku focus on peace process, OSCE projects, and regional economic recovery

On October 15, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Finnish Foreign Minister and current OSCE Chairperson Elina Valtonen to discuss the current state and future prospects of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as broader regional developments in the post-conflict period.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Caliber.Az that the high-level meeting covered bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Finland, Finland’s priorities during its OSCE chairmanship, and the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Both ministers highlighted the significance of recent meetings between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Finland, including the COP29 summit in Baku last year and the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2025, noting that such engagements have strengthened bilateral ties. They underscored the importance of mutual visits and active dialogue to expand cooperation.

During the meeting, Finland’s priorities as the current OSCE chair were addressed. Minister Bayramov emphasised that Finland’s chairmanship coincides with a period of serious security challenges across Europe. He stressed the importance of the OSCE as a multilateral platform that must adapt flexibly to new realities while maintaining its relevance and functionality.

Bayramov briefed Minister Valtonen on regional developments, including the ongoing reconstruction of territories liberated from occupation, efforts to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons to their homes, and the persistent threat of landmines. The peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia was also discussed in detail.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of the August 8 meeting in Washington between the leaders of Azerbaijan, the United States, and Armenia, and the joint declaration signed during the summit.

Speaking about the next steps toward a formal peace agreement, Bayramov emphasised the necessity of eliminating territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the Armenian Constitution. He also noted the significance of the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) initiative in restoring transport and economic links across the region.

The ministers positively evaluated the OSCE’s recent decision, effective from September 1, to discontinue the Minsk Process, the Special Representative of the current Chairperson, and the High-Level Planning Group, noting that these institutions had become non-functional in the post-conflict context.

Bayramov also addressed existing obstacles to implementing OSCE projects in Azerbaijan, highlighting the importance of launching a dedicated cooperation program focused on the country. He underlined that practical collaboration would be particularly valuable in areas such as demining, environmental assessment, and cybersecurity.

In addition, the minister emphasised the importance of OSCE-led economic and environmental initiatives. He reported that the project “Promotion of Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Region,” initiated by Azerbaijan, is being successfully implemented and has now entered its third phase.

By Tamilla Hasanova