(United Nations) Peace with Azerbaijan is “within reach”: the Armenian Prime Minister took advantage of the UN platform on Thursday to convey a message of optimism on the possibility that the two former Soviet republics are turning the page after decades of conflict.
To do this, Nikol Pashinian said he was ready to agree to a key request from Baku, namely ensuring transport links to Azerbaijan and Turkey via Armenian territory.
The tone contrasts with that of last year when the discussions were “at an impasse”, the leader immediately admitted.
Just a year ago, Azerbaijan had just retaken Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous enclave under Azerbaijani sovereignty that was mainly populated by Armenians.
The offensive lasted only a few days and took place during the annual high mass of the UN General Assembly, creating astonishment among Western diplomats, in particular the Americans and French, then very involved in mediation. . They had witnessed, helplessly, the exodus of nearly 120,000 Armenians.
“I would like to say that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not only possible, but also within reach,” Nikol Pashinian said.
PHOTO PAMELA SMITH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Armenian Prime Minister addresses UN General Assembly
The two parties agree on 80% of the points of a potential treaty, he highlighted.
“All we have to do is reach out and accept it,” he said.
The pain is very deep and intense, but now we must focus on peace, because peace is the only understandable truth for the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Nikol Pashinian, Prime Minister of Armenia
Nikol Pashinian stressed that Yerevan would like to sign the agreement based on the already approved points.
Until now, Baku has opposed it, believing that there was no agreement possible until all points were settled.
“Why are we proposing this? Because there is no precedent for a peace agreement, nor an agreement that would regulate and resolve everything,” argued Nikol Pashinian.
But Azerbaijan demands that Armenia agree to change its Constitution on the grounds that it is based on a reunification treaty between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Baku is also asking that Yerevan agrees to open transport links with its exclave of Nakhichevan, currently separated by Armenian territory, in order to offer land continuity with Turkey, its great ally.
Crossroads of peace?
“We are ready to open our transport communications with Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as with our other neighbors and partners,” said Nikol Pashinian, a strong concession to try to secure a treaty.
“The Republic of Armenia is ready to fully guarantee the safety of the passage of vehicles and people through its territory. This is our wish, our commitment and we can do it,” he also said, affirming that it could become a “crossroads of peace”.
On the change of the Constitution, which requires the organization of a referendum – a long process with an uncertain outcome – Western diplomats see it as “a delaying tactic” by Baku which consists of asking for the impossible in order not to sign a ‘agreement.
Azerbaijan, with its gas riches and a modernized army reinforced by Turkish weapons, has until now appeared to be in a strong position in the negotiations.
But while the country has gained international visibility – Baku is the host of COP29 in November – pressure from the international community is increasing for an agreement to be signed before this major meeting dedicated to the climate.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the foreign ministers of the two countries in New York.
He “encouraged continued progress by both countries to finalize an agreement as soon as possible,” according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Asked by AFP, a spokesperson for the Azerbaijani delegation was not immediately available.