Armenian Foreign Minister on the Process of Normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan Relations

In today's summary press conference, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan addressed the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He stated, "Dear colleagues, since the beginning of the year, the Republic of Armenia has constructively and diligently engaged in negotiations with Azerbaijan aimed at resolving our relations. This pertains to the overall peace process, but specifically also to the signing of the so-called peace agreement, the beginning of the delimitation process, and the unblocking and reactivation of regional, transport, and economic infrastructures.

Several principles have remained key for us in this process. I deem it necessary to enumerate them. Briefly, first and foremost, Armenia and Azerbaijan must recognize each other’s territorial integrity without any ambiguities and without wording that leaves room for misinterpretation. Another principle is that the border between the two countries should be delimited based on official maps with strong legal foundations created by the competent authorities of the Soviet Union within their powers.

You know that we have consistently referred to the maps from 1974-78 as the most up-to-date documents reflecting this reality and these principles. Interestingly, there has been a proposal to use maps from 1974-90; this proposal came from the Azerbaijani side. After certain studies, we have inferred that this wording might be applicable, but moving forward, and I believe questions will arise regarding this, I would like to note that, for instance, in the recent interview of the President of Azerbaijan, a certain retreat from the original Azerbaijani proposal is implied.

But returning to the principles, I would like to reiterate that maximum clarity is crucial for Armenia in the further delimitation process, especially in terms of legal invulnerability. In this context, I would like to mention the Alma-Ata Declaration again. It is worth reiterating what this pertains to: You probably recall that in the Alma-Ata Declaration, the former 12 republics of the Soviet Union agreed, among other issues, and subsequently, no one has raised any reservations about this, that the administrative and territorial borders between the former Soviet Socialist Republics are recognized henceforth by everyone as interstate borders between newly independent states. This is again, as they say, quite a fundamental agreement.

And this is an agreement that not only was established in 1991 by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the other republics, but also the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have essentially reaffirmed it, for example, on October 6, 2022, in Prague and during subsequent meetings.

Returning to the principles according to which we envision the peace process, the third, perhaps significant principle is well known to all – the regional economic and transport infrastructures must be unblocked under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries, based on the principles of reciprocity and equality. This is also, to a large extent, something we have had numerous discussions about with the Azerbaijani side and we have, in essence, mutual understanding and agreement. However, referring back to the recent notable interview, I want to say that we also see a retreat from the Azerbaijani side in this matter."