UK calls for swift signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement

The United Kingdom warmly congratulates Armenia and Azerbaijan on the conclusion of their negotiations on a peace agreement, Deputy Head of the United Kingdom Delegation to the OSCE Deirdre Brown has said.

Deirdre Brown urged “both sides to sign the agreement as soon as possible.”

“The United Kingdom warmly congratulates Armenia and Azerbaijan on the conclusion of their negotiations on a peace agreement.  This is a historic moment, and we urge both sides to sign the agreement as soon as possible.  Finalisation of this peace treaty is the best route to achieving lasting peace and to delivering security and stability in the South Caucasus as a whole.  It will open the way to increased trade and prosperity, not only for Armenia and Azerbaijan, but their neighbours also.

We urge both sides to refrain from rhetoric that undermines the prospects for peace.  A return to conflict would be a tragedy and set back progress on peace in the region by years.

The United Kingdom continues to support all efforts, alongside our international partners, to ensure a durable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus,” Brown said in a speech in Vienna during an OSCE event. 

The governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced on March 13 that the negotiations around the peace treaty have been successfully concluded. The Armenian government has expressed readiness to start discussions with Azerbaijan around the date and location for signing the agreement.  Meanwhile, Azerbaijan made preconditions for signing it, including a demand to change the Armenian constitution by falsely claiming it contains territorial claims, as well as disbanding the OSCE Minsk Group. Baku also launched a fake news campaign falsely accusing Armenia of border shootings.