Yerevan: Armenia is geared up to complete the normalization process with Azerbaijan through its “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, which includes economic and transportation ties, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced on Thursday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Mirzoyan stated at a joint press conference with Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili that Armenia is ready to finalize the normalization process with Azerbaijan. This announcement follows a statement from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, who emphasized the importance of signing a peace agreement with Armenia while expressing concerns over Armenia’s constitutional territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Bayramov, speaking at a press conference in Ankara, highlighted the significance of a peace agreement but noted his concerns regarding Armenia’s Constitution, which he claims still includes territorial claims against Azerbaijan, as well as what he describes as ‘revengeful tendencies’ in the country. He assured that Azerbaijan will continue its constructive efforts toward peace.
Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative is crucial for normalizing relations with Azerbaijan. He reiterated Armenia’s commitment to ongoing discussions with Baku aimed at establishing long-term peace in the region. The initiative includes plans for economic and transport cooperation across the South Caucasus, including the unblocking of infrastructure as part of the normalization process.
“Our government’s position remains consistent. We are unwaveringly committed to the peace agenda,” Mirzoyan stated, while also mentioning ongoing work on a peace treaty, border delimitation, and regional connectivity projects.
In the meeting, Bochorishvili expressed Georgia’s support for dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the importance of regional stability. She hoped that the peace treaty would be concluded on mutually acceptable terms.
The ministers also discussed bilateral relations between Armenia and Georgia, focusing on trade, transportation, and cultural cooperation, and underscored the importance of deepening economic and political ties to ensure sustainable development in the South Caucasus.
Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been strained since 1991, following the Armenian military’s occupation of Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, along with seven adjacent territories. Most of these areas were liberated by Azerbaijan during a conflict in the fall of 2020, which concluded with a Russian-brokered peace agreement. Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Karabakh in September 2023, after an “anti-terrorist operation” led to the surrender of separatist forces in the region. However, a formal peace treaty and the normalization of ties between Azerbaijan and Armenia have yet to be achieved.