Peace-building process strengthens following U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani accords - expert

The peace-building process is significantly strengthening following the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani accords reached in Washington, D.C., political analyst Armen Petrosyan said, commenting on the latest developments.

In an interview with Armenpress, Petrosyan commented on the information that the first freight shipment via Azerbaijan will soon enter Armenia following Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statement on lifting all restrictions on cargo transit.

“Both Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as various regional and international actors, are striving to contribute to and support the peace process. Within this context, various initiatives are being actively implemented. We are already witnessing a sharp change in bilateral rhetoric, with more frequent and positive statements about peace, different forecasts about prospects for cooperation, an emphasis on opportunities, and, of course, the implementation of practical steps,” Petrosyan said.

He highlighted the recently intensified high-level bilateral negotiations.

“In addition, there has been an increase in interactions between public-political circles, with representatives from these groups in both countries meeting not only in third countries but also within events organized in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The recent statement by the President of Azerbaijan that all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia have been lifted, and, in response, the Armenian Prime Minister’s statement that Armenia’s territory is now open for Türkiye-Azerbaijan freight transport, indicate progress in the peace-building process between the two sides. Moreover, this reflects a positive competition to improve the favorable environment further and to strengthen the process of implementing practical steps and initiatives,” the analyst said.

Petrosyan described the first transit shipment, a batch of Kazakh wheat which will soon arrive to Armenia, as a significant and symbolic step.

“But there is another important aspect here. President Aliyev essentially emphasizes Azerbaijan’s key role in transit. This symbolic shipment passing through the neighboring country’s territory to Armenia once again demonstrates Azerbaijan’s active involvement as a state offering alternative routes or infrastructural connections. This, in fact, provides an opportunity to bring new routes onto the agenda instead of the previous infrastructural options that existed in the South Caucasus during the conflict period, thereby showcasing the practical feasibility of utilizing these routes,” Petrosyan explained.

He said that Azerbaijan will promote itself internationally with this latest initiative, adding to various other projects. “This includes delivering energy resources to EU countries, supplying gas to Syria, establishing connections between Central Asia and Europe, and, of course, the initiative to transport Kazakh wheat to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory. Aliyev will use all of this in various negotiations with the United States to demonstrate that practical steps are being taken to implement the agreements reached on August 8,” the political analyst concluded.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on Tuesday that his country had lifted “all restrictions” on the transit of goods to Armenia. The first such shipment was a consignment of Kazakh wheat, Aliyev said during a meeting with the President of Kazakhstan.

Shortly afterward, Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan said that the first transit shipment of goods through Azerbaijani territory is expected to reach Armenia soon.
“Soon, the first batch of Kazakh wheat will enter Armenia via the Aktau–Baku route, followed by transit through Azerbaijani and Georgian railways. Peace has been established,” Papoyan said in a statement.

The move has been welcomed by Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan.