This is the English translation of a Turkish language article that was originally published by AVİM on 12 February 2025.

An article by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was published in ArmenPress on 10 February. In his article, Pashinyan states that all preconditions for peace had been met and that Armenia was waiting for a response from Azerbaijan. He also makes allegations in the same article, accusing Azerbaijan of questioning Armenia's territorial integrity.[1]

Considering Pashinyan's statements on the peace agreement that is expected to be signed, it is hard to make sense of the current pause in the negotiation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenian officials had previously stated that an understanding had been reached on certain articles of the proposed peace agreement. In his ArmenPress article, Pashinyan argues that the mutually affirmed part of the proposed peace agreement is sufficient for the continuity of the peace process and the signing of the agreement. However, the importance of the non-affirmed parts of the proposed agreement in terms of bilateral relations and the stabilization of the region cannot be ignored.

Perhaps the most important of these is the need to amend the Constitution of Armenia, which refers to the Declaration of Independence. In his statement, Pashinyan claims that Armenia's recent noteworthy defence industry expenditures have been made to protect the territorial integrity of his country. However, Armenia, whose political and legal system cites the Declaration of Independence that clearly poses a threat to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, is far from taking a concrete step to amend its constitution. Pashinyan, who had previously claimed that this problem had disappeared with the decision of the Armenian Constitutional Court, disregards the legitimate concerns of Azerbaijan, with whom he wants to reach an agreement on this issue. The preparation and signing of inter-state peace treaties require trust and understanding. As we have stated in our previous articles, this inconsistency on Armenia's part constitutes unreliable and suspicious behaviour with regards to the peace agreement process.[2]

In conclusion, although Pashinyan claims that all preconditions for peace have been met, the situation is not viewed in the same light by Azerbaijan, the other party to the agreement. Pashinyan presents his unconvincing and one-sided perspective as representing the realities of the region. This situation is one of the most critical obstacles to the peace process and it is unlikely that a well-founded peace agreement can be signed unless concrete steps are taken and the discoursing rhetoric undermining confidence building efforts is abandoned. 

*Picture: Hürriyet Daily News