In a recent meeting held in Brussels, Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan on Foreign Policy Affairs, shed light on the progress made in resolving the long-standing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. With the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which had been under Armenia’s occupation since 1991, Azerbaijan sees a historic opportunity to establish lasting peace and construct a new regional security architecture based on justice and mutual respect.
A New Chapter Towards Peace:
Mr. Hajiyev highlighted the significance of Azerbaijan’s accomplishment in disarming and eliminating the unlawful regime that had besieged the country for decades. This crucial development eliminates major obstacles to reaching a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan firmly believes that the time has come to put an end to antagonism and hostility, and instead construct a durable peace framework based on Azerbaijan’s five principles for Armenia.
Opportunity for Positive Engagement:
To foster peaceful relations, Azerbaijan has submitted an updated peace treaty to Armenia. However, despite the passage of two months, Armenia has yet to respond. Mr. Hajiyev stressed the need for positivity and goodwill from Armenia to move forward with the peace process. Emphasizing the evolution of new realities in the region, he stated that these changes should be underpinned by legality and legitimacy.
Regional Security and Cooperation:
Azerbaijan aims to establish a new regional security architecture centered on justice, recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty, and the renouncement of all territorial claims. Azerbaijan remains committed to promoting Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and believes that engaged partners have a significant role to play in supporting a mutually beneficial agreement. Mr. Hajiyev emphasized that such agreements must be shaped within the regional context, and true peace cannot be imposed from external capitals.
Challenges on the Path to Peace:
During the meeting, Mr. Hajiyev expressed concerns about biased attitudes observed in some European institutions. He called for a fair treatment of Azerbaijan and highlighted the need to avoid unfounded criticisms that hinder progress towards peace. He also criticized the militarization program adopted by some EU member countries, citing France’s involvement in providing military support to Armenia. Mr. Hajiyev stressed the counterproductive nature of these actions, urging Armenia to adopt a peaceful program for the benefit of its neighbors.
Azerbaijan’s liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region marks a significant turning point in the region’s history, providing a unique opportunity for lasting peace and normalized relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan emphasizes the importance of Armenia’s positive response to the peace treaty proposal and invites all stakeholders, including appropriate European institutions, to join efforts in advancing the peaceful agenda in the region.
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