2 key issues remain in Azerbaijan-Armenia peace talks: Azerbaijani President

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev revealed two unresolved points in ongoing peace negotiations with Armenia.

The contentious issues include an agreement on mutual renunciation of international claims and the deployment of foreign representatives near borders.

Speaking to Russian media outlets, Aliyev stated that out of 17 provisions in the draft peace agreement, consensus has been reached on 15, while two remain disputed.

Aliyev explains unresolved points with Armenia

Aliyev outlined the two unresolved items:

• Mutual renunciation of international claims: Aliyev emphasized the importance of abandoning claims, citing the $150 billion in damages Azerbaijan incurred during the occupation period. “It is reasonable for both sides to set these claims aside,” he said.
• Opposition to foreign representatives near borders: Aliyev expressed concerns about foreign observers, particularly under NATO-backed missions, being stationed along the border. He explained that temporary placements of 40 observers were extended without Azerbaijan’s consent and later expanded to over 200 personnel, including representatives from Canada. “This mission has effectively become a NATO operation,” Aliyev remarked.

Azerbaijan’s conditions for peace with Armenia

Aliyev also addressed two other conditions for Armenia to fulfill:

1. Revising the Armenian constitution to remove references to Karabakh as part of Armenia, as declared in its independence statement.
2. Dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group, initially formed to address the Karabakh conflict.

Aliyev also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for his stance on the Second Karabakh War, stating, “France openly supported the occupiers during the conflict and attempted sanctions against Azerbaijan, though these efforts failed.” Aliyev added that France’s actions have since aimed to undermine Azerbaijan’s international standing.