Three men in suits pose in front of the flags of Armenia, the European Union, and Azerbaijan in a formal setting.
ARGENTINA

After a long war, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached a peace agreement.

The conflict in the Caucasus dates back almost 40 years, and Armenia would cede an important portion of its territory

On Thursday, Azerbaijan and Armenia announced that they had concluded negotiations on a peace treaty that would end nearly four decades of conflict between the two Caucasus countries.

The agreement, which aims to normalize relations between the two nations, would be a significant breakthrough in a region of high geopolitical tension, where Russia, the European Union, the United States, and Türkiye compete for influence.

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has revolved around the Nagorno-Karabakh region, predominantly inhabited by Armenians, which was controlled by Armenian separatist sectors for decades, despite being internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Map showing the location of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Nagorno-Karabakh region, with the capitals Yerevan and Baku highlighted.
The main reason for the conflict is the Nagorno-Karabakh area | La Derecha Diario

The two countries had already fought two wars over control of the region: one at the end of the Soviet Union and another in 2020, and the situation escalated again in September 2023, when Azerbaijan regained full control of Nagorno-Karabakh in a 24-hour lightning offensive. This action prompted the flight of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, confirmed that Armenia had accepted Azerbaijan's proposals on the two most difficult points of the peace agreement.

Armenia's Foreign Ministry also confirmed that negotiations on the draft peace agreement had concluded, and Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, described this development as an "important event," expressing that Armenia is willing to discuss the place and date for the signing of the peace treaty.

A man in a dark suit is sitting in front of a background of flags with blue, red, and orange colors, with a glass of water and a notebook on the table.
The Armenian Prime Minister celebrated the existence of a peace agreement | La Derecha Diario

Among the key points that remained unsolved until that moment were the "non-implementation of third-country forces" along the common border and the mutual withdrawal of legal claims before international judicial bodies.

Both nations have faced each other on various occasions in international courts, such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, over allegations of human rights violations during the conflicts.

One of Azerbaijan's main demands is that Armenia amend its constitution to remove any reference to the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and territorial claims over this region.

Azerbaijan considers that references to Karabakh in the Armenian constitution are incompatible with the country's sovereignty.

A group of soldiers armed with camouflage uniforms and helmets stands in front of a person wrapped in a flag, with military vehicles and barbed wire barriers in the background.
Thousands of Armenian Christians were displaced from the Nagorno-Karabakh region | La Derecha Diario

Azerbaijan's Minister Bayramov indicated that any constitutional amendment by Armenia would be a necessary step before the signing of the peace agreement, although this would require a referendum in Armenia, which could pose a significant obstacle to the implementation of the agreement.

France's President, Emmanuel Macron, expressed his support for the peace announcement, highlighting that there were no longer obstacles to the signing of the peace treaty, which would pave the way for lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

However, tensions persist, as Armenia criticized Azerbaijan for making a unilateral declaration instead of a joint statement. This reflects the complexity of relations between the two nations, despite the progress.

A man in a dark suit speaks at a podium with the flags of the European Union and France behind him.
Macron expressed his support for the peace treaty on behalf of France, which has historically shown its support for Armenia | La Derecha Diario

In addition to the disputes over the constitution, the conflict has also caused a rift between Armenia and Russia, its traditional ally. Armenia accused Russia of not providing the necessary support during the 2023 conflict, which led Yerevan to suspend its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), led by Moscow.

This lack of support from Russia has led Armenia to move closer to the West, while Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has further strengthened its relations with Türkiye.

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has been a constant topic in international negotiations, with actors like Russia, the United States, and the European Union attempting to mediate the dispute.

A man in a suit speaks at a podium with a microphone in front of an Azerbaijani flag.
Bayramov emphasized that it is an essential requirement for the peace treaty that Armenia modifies its constitution | La Derecha Diario
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