IRIA News

Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to take steps toward normalization of relations after decades of wars and conflicts. The two countries have agreed to exchange prisoners captured during recent fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh and sign a peace deal soon.

In a joint statement, released after a meeting between an official from Azerbaijan and Armenia, the two countries said that they have agreed to forge a path of normalization and hoped to sign a peace treaty by the end of this year.

The statement said Baku will free 32 Armenian prisoners of war (POW), while Yerevan will release two Azerbaijani servicemen. The agreement for the POW exchange was reached during talks between the office of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the administration of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev.

“The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region,” the statement reads. “The two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The two countries also said they “will continue their discussions regarding the implementation of more confidence-building measures, effective in the near future, and call on the international community to support their efforts”.

The two countries have vowed to support each other on the international phase and urged global leaders to support the peace efforts. Armenia has agreed to support Azerbaijan’s bid to host the COP29 climate summit by withdrawing its candidacy while Azerbaijan has agreed to support Armenia’s candidacy of a regional group associated with the climate talks.

The statement also noted that the two sides would arrange more interactions with each other to sort out the peace agreement.

Breakthrough achieved after stalled talks

Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have met on several occasions for normalization talks mediated by the EU, Russia, and the U.S. But the process has stalled over the last two months as two rounds of negotiations failed to take place.

Azerbaijan refused to participate in talks with Armenia that were planned in the United States on November 20, over what it said was Washington’s “biased” position. Azerbaijan’s Aliyev declined to attend the talks with Armenia’s Pashinyan in Spain after accusing France of bias. The talks were going to be mediated by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the European Council President Charles Michel.

Victory in Nagorno-Karabakh

The hopes for normalization of relations between the two arch-foes are now stronger than ever as Azerbaijan conducted its decisive offense in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September this year, which ended the three-decade-long illegitimate rule of ethnic Armenians. Azerbaijan regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh in a lightning 24-hour assault in September 2023.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Artsakh by Armenia, lies in an area that has a centuries-long history dating back to the times of the Ottoman and Russian empires. The region has always been a Christian stronghold and home to ethnic Armenians. Armenia claims control over it due to the ethnic Armenians who have been living in the region, however, it is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan.

US and Europe welcome the peace deal

European Council President Charles Michel described the developments as a “major breakthrough in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations” while the U.S. welcomed the statement and the prisoner exchange.

“Establishing and deepening bilateral dialogue between sides has been a key objective of the EU-led Brussels process: today’s progress is a key step,” EU Council President Charles Michel said on X. “I now encourage the leaders to finalize the … peace deal ASAP.”

The United States also welcomed the announcement by Armenia and Azerbaijan of the release of two Azerbaijani and 32 Armenian detainees. “This commitment represents an important confidence-building measure as the sides work to finalize a peace agreement and normalize relations,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“We commend Azerbaijani President (Ilham) Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister (Nikol) Pashinyan for their joint efforts to lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the South Caucasus,” Miller said in a statement. “The United States will continue to strongly support efforts to reach a durable and dignified peace.”