Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to addressing key humanitarian challenges, including the integration of forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and securing the release of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Baku.
On October 14, speaking at a joint press conference in Yerevan with Finland’s Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen, Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia continues daily efforts to secure the release of detainees held in Azerbaijan, despite the process not always being visible or immediately effective.
“Several key issues have been resolved within the framework of the Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization process, but some still require attention,” he said. “One of the foremost of these is the release of the individuals currently held in Baku. We are working on this matter daily, not always visibly or immediately effectively, otherwise the issue would have been resolved long ago. I want to express hope that we will have good news on this matter in the near future.”
He noted that the issue was discussed the day before in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where he met with Azerbaijani officials. “Let us hope that our efforts will soon be crowned with positive results,” Mirzoyan added.
The minister underscored that, unlike Azerbaijan, Armenia holds no Azerbaijani captives, making the return of Armenian detainees an exclusively humanitarian issue requiring urgent resolution.
Given the suspension of the International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC) activities in Azerbaijan, Mirzoyan stressed that third-country involvement is crucial for maintaining communication and information-sharing channels.
“Our cooperation with the ICRC had been the main channel for this issue. Since the organization has suspended its operations in Azerbaijan, we are now seeking to fill that gap in other ways,” he said.
Turning to domestic priorities, Mirzoyan highlighted the Armenian government’s ongoing efforts to integrate forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh, who fled following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military offensive.
“We are making the utmost efforts to ensure that our displaced compatriots can fully integrate and restart or continue their lives in the Republic of Armenia,” Mirzoyan said.
Nearly 120,000 Armenians were forced to flee their ancestral homeland during Azerbaijan’s attack. The Armenian government has since implemented a range of social and economic support programs to help them rebuild their lives.
Armenia Rejects Azerbaijan’s Constitutional Preconditions
At the joint press conference in Yerevan with Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen, Mirzoyan categorically rejected Baku’s demand that Armenia amend its Constitution as a precondition for signing a peace treaty.
“Armenia has never raised and will never raise the issue of constitutional amendments with any third country. Azerbaijan continues to frame this matter as a prerequisite for the signing of a peace treaty, which we categorically reject,” Mirzoyan said. “The issue of amending the Armenian Constitution or establishing a new Basic Law as a mutually agreed matter is not on the bilateral agenda.”
He emphasized that constitutional reform, if undertaken, would be decided solely by the Armenian people. “I find it astonishing that this matter persists on the agenda despite numerous and consistent assurances to the contrary,” he remarked.
Mirzoyan’s comments echoed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s earlier remarks from April 16, when he stated that any new Constitution should be debated domestically and not reference the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing that “the final decision lies with the people of Armenia.”
The minister noted that Armenia has never undertaken, and will not undertake, any commitment before any party to amend its Constitution. He clarified that while discussions about a constitutional referendum exist amid new regional realities, the process is entirely internal and unrelated to Azerbaijani demands.
Dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group
Mirzoyan confirmed that while the political decision to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group has been made, final technical and budgetary procedures will be completed by early December.
Valtonen welcomed this step, calling it a mutual acknowledgment that peace efforts now require new frameworks.
“We have consistently observed Armenia’s commitment to the peace agenda, despite all the challenges. I also welcome the joint initiative to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group structures. We hope this process will be completed no later than December,” Valtonen said.
Armenia–Finland Cooperation and OSCE Engagement
Mirzoyan briefed Valtonen on the Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization process, including the initialling of the peace agreement and the principles of unblocking regional infrastructure. He highlighted Armenia’s continued constructive engagement with the OSCE and emphasized that new forms and horizons of cooperation are needed to reflect the post-conflict realities.
Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to the Helsinki Final Act, noting that adherence to its principles is essential for peace, stability, and human rights across the OSCE region.
Turning to bilateral ties, he commended Finland’s institutional support for strengthening democracy and resilience, citing its participation in the EU-backed “Resilient Syunik” initiative as an example. He also emphasized the importance of the Armenia–Nordic–Baltic (NB8) cooperation format and confirmed that Yerevan will host the next European Political Community Summit in May 2026.
Valtonen highlighted Armenia’s sovereignty and transparency as pillars of its democratic progress and praised Yerevan’s open engagement with civil society, calling it a model of participatory governance.
“As the OSCE Chair, Finland strongly prioritizes democratic foundations, transparency, and the ability of citizens to participate in decisions and make choices,” Valtonen said.
She also noted that the Nordic-Baltic Eight framework offers valuable opportunities for Armenia to deepen cooperation with Northern European partners in security, innovation, and resilience.
Advancing the U.S.-Backed TRIPP Project
Mirzoyan announced that Armenia and the United States are jointly advancing the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a connectivity project outlined in the U.S.-brokered Armenian–Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C., on August 8, 2025, by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President Ilham Aliyev, and President Donald Trump.
“The section of the railway that will pass through southern Armenia will be called TRIPP; it has a clear name and principles. These principles are territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, sovereignty, jurisdiction of states, and reciprocity,” Mirzoyan explained.
He said that technical discussions with the American side have been ongoing since August 8, and preliminary work on the project has already been completed. “At this moment, an agreement has been reached on what has been publicized. The rest will be clarified, coordinated by all sides, and announced,” he noted.
A joint Armenian-American company will manage the route. “There will be a joint Armenian-American company that will assume responsibility for construction and subsequent operation of this project. Eventually, all the remaining details that need to be clarified will indeed be clarified and made public,” he said
The TRIPP project is expected to enhance regional connectivity, attract investment, and create long-term economic benefits for Armenia and its partners.
Earlier on October 14, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also met with Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen to discuss the Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization process, democratic reforms, and cooperation with the EU. Valtonen congratulated both countries on establishing peace, expressing confidence it will strengthen Armenia’s stability and regional cooperation.
Pashinyan emphasized the OSCE’s role in maintaining peace and discussed ongoing reforms, civil society development, and investment promotion. Both sides agreed to deepen Armenia–Finland relations through high-level reciprocal visits.
On October 15, Valtonen concluded her visit to the region with meetings in Baku, where she held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov to discuss regional stability and the ongoing Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization process.
