Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed reporters’ questions on March 13, following the announcement by the Armenian Foreign Ministry that negotiations on the peace treaty with Azerbaijan had been concluded.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry previously confirmed that Azerbaijan’s proposals on two previously uncoordinated articles of the draft agreement had been accepted. Pashinyan revealed that these articles concern the non-deployment of third-country forces along the border and the mutual withdrawal of legal claims from international courts, ensuring that neither side takes legal action against the other.
This agreement comes amid Azerbaijan’s continued calls for the removal of EU observers from Armenia, arguing that their presence contradicts regional security arrangements.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum on March 13, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sharply criticized the EU’s monitoring mission in Armenia, accusing it of espionage.
“The so-called European monitoring mission, which is actually a reconnaissance mission of the European Union, is spying day and night on our border, looking just for places where they can penetrate,” Aliyev stated.
However, Yerevan has repeatedly emphasized the EU mission’s role in ensuring stability and preventing escalations along the border.
In line with this, one of the key points recently finalized between the two countries is the mutual agreement to withdraw legal cases against each other.
Against this backdrop, the resignation of Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Armenia’s Representative for International Legal Affairs, appears particularly relevant.
Earlier this month, Kirakosyan stepped down from his position, with the Prime Minister’s office stating that his departure was a mutual decision following a personal request he had made several months prior.
At the briefing, Pashinyan also touched on Armenia’s ongoing constitutional reform, asserting that the new constitution would hold both national and regional significance. He rejected claims that the reform was being conducted under Azerbaijani pressure, insisting that it is part of Armenia’s broader national vision. However, he acknowledged that any constitutional changes would inevitably have regional implications.
Pashinyan also addressed the conclusion of negotiations on the long-anticipated peace treaty, calling it a “significant milestone.”
He reaffirmed that Armenia is prepared to begin discussions with Azerbaijan on the date and location for signing the treaty.
“We are ready to start consultations. Both sides have their own ideas, and we will work to bring them closer together,” he stated. Addressing concerns about transparency, he emphasized that the Armenian government has “no secrets” regarding the treaty’s content.
“The text has essentially been disclosed to the public article by article, in various ways. I don’t think it can be said that society is unfamiliar with its content,” Pashinyan noted.
The prime minister also reiterated Armenia’s commitment to the “Crossroads of Peace” project, which aims to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation.
As part of this initiative, he confirmed Armenia’s readiness to provide Azerbaijan with a transit route to its exclave of Nakhichevan.
“Armenia is not only open to unblocking economic routes but fully committed to it, including those connecting Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan,” Pashinyan stated, emphasizing the government’s willingness to take necessary steps.
He added that further details were outlined in his recent article and that Armenia is now awaiting an official response from Azerbaijan to proceed with implementation.
The “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, introduced by the Armenian government in October 2023, seeks to improve Armenia’s connections with Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Turkey, aiming to restore regional cooperation and foster mutual understanding.
One of its key proposals includes establishing a railway cargo link from Azerbaijan’s western regions to its exclave of Nakhichevan via Armenia’s Syunik region.
Despite progress in peace negotiations, Pashinyan acknowledged that the issue of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan remains unresolved.
“Armenia has raised the issue of prisoners of war on all possible platforms. If the issue has not been resolved, it means that there is still no agreement,” Pashinyan concluded.
