Armenia–Azerbaijan peace still fragile, requires international backing, says UPEACE envoy

The Armenia–Azerbaijan peace remains “fragile” and requires international support, said David Fernández Puyana, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the University for Peace (UPEACE) to the United Nations and UNESCO, in an interview with Armenpress.

He also highlighted Armenia's deepening partnership with the European Union and described recent EU-related summits in Yerevan as a geopolitical turning point for the country.

“I see important and significant steps being taken toward peace. In this regard, particularly noteworthy is the peace declaration signed in Washington on August 8, 2025, with the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump. Nevertheless, that peace remains very fragile and requires consistent support from the international community.

This year is also significant because, for the first time in the history of independent Armenia, European leaders gathered in Yerevan to participate in the European Political Community Summit as well as the Armenia–EU Summit. From a geopolitical perspective, this was a turning point for Armenia. I believe it also sent an important message to the international community,” said David Fernández Puyana.

David Fernández Puyana noted, however, that alongside these developments, there are still challenges related to how the commitments already made by European leaders to the Armenian government will be implemented, particularly amid global turmoil and ongoing conflicts around the world.

“People in Armenia have high expectations of the European Union, and my main concern is how those expectations—and the promises that have been made—will be fulfilled. Nevertheless, we can see that, especially in recent years, the Armenian government has been seeking to advance and strengthen its foreign policy orientation toward the European Union,” David Fernández Puyana emphasized, stressing that the realization of Armenia’s aspirations toward closer integration with the European Union will require time and sustained support from the international community.