PM Pashinyan addresses the probability of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has referred to the possibility of establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, outlining the principles within which it would happen.

In his opening remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries, which the capital Yerevan is hosting, Pashinyan said that there are three main principles.

First, the agreements on the unblocking of transport links should be based on the principle of sovereignty, jurisdiction, equality and reciprocity of countries.

Secondly, Armenia and Azerbaijan should fully recognize each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, based on the understanding that Armenia's territory covers 29,800 square kilometers and Azerbaijan's 86,600 square kilometers.

According to the third principle, Armenia and Azerbaijan should reaffirm their unconditional commitment to the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration as the political basis for the border demarcation.

“These principles were reached during negotiations with the President of Azerbaijan in Brussels, and these agreements had been recorded in the statements by European Council President Charles Michel after tripartite meetings on May 14 and July 15, 2023,” noted the PM.

"If Azerbaijan does not abandon the already reached agreements, signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan in the near future becomes very realistic.

Armenia reaffirms its commitment to these agreements. And the main question is about the possibility of signing the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the near future.

One can focus on the facts that indicate that the probability of such an event is not high, and one can focus on the facts that can create a more positive impression that the probability of such developments is high.

"Both groups of facts exist. Yesterday an exchange of captured persons between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place, which is a very important event. I would prefer not to focus on facts that inspire pessimism. I would like to consider yesterday's event as a ‘zero point’ from which we will be able to at least make efforts so that all further developmets will indicate an increased probability of signing a peace treaty-rather than the opposite," Pashinyan said.