Armenia and Azerbaijan Hope to Sign Peace Treaty
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Salma Hossein
- . December 8, 2023
- . Update: December 8, 2023 5:24 pm
Armenia and Azerbaijan are taking tangible steps towards restoring confidence with each other and rebuilding peace in the region. In a joint statement, the two countries said they believe there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace.
They intend to normalize relations and reach a peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement said Armenia and Azerbaijan reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty.
And as part of this peace process, Azerbaijan will release 32 Armenian prisoners of war, and Yerevan will release two Azerbaijani servicemen. Both sides regard prisoner exchange as guided by humanitarian values and as a manifestation of goodwill.
Breakthrough in Armenia, Azerbaijan Relations
European Council President Charles Michel applauded steps taken as a major breakthrough in Armenian and Azerbaijani peace talks. He said establishing and deepening bilateral dialogue between sides has been a key objective of the EU-led Brussels process.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also commended the initiative. “This commitment represents an important confidence-building measure as the sides work to finalize a peace agreement and normalize relations.”
Turkey welcomed the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “We support the decision to continue negotiations for the adoption of additional confidence-building measures. We wish for the prompt signing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which will constitute one of the most crucial developments for the establishment of permanent peace and stability in the South Caucasus.”
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Armenia Azerbaijan War to Peace Talks
Peace talks come as a relief after a nearly full blow Armenia Azerbaijan war in September 2023 when Baku seized the entire Artsakh republic. Armenians saw this as ethnic cleansing, latest addition to a long series of violence committed by ethnic Turks against their communities.
Armenian deputy foreign minister Vahan Kostanyan said a peace deal is realistic. “We are reaffirming our political commitment to sign a document on the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan. But to have it signed, we need reciprocate actions and signals from the Azerbaijani side.”
He said the principles are fully indicated in the Granada statement.
