Azerbaijan Says ‘De Facto Peace’ Exists with Armenia, Calls for Completion of Peace Process
Moscow, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has stated that de facto peace already exists between Azerbaijan and Armenia, emphasizing that the completion of the remaining stages of the peace process will pave the way for lasting stability, security and prosperity in the South Caucasus.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following bilateral talks in Moscow on Friday, Bayramov said the 44-day Patriotic War had created the foundation for a new regional security architecture based on the principles of international law, territorial integrity and historical justice.
The Azerbaijani foreign minister highlighted the recent progress achieved in the normalization process between Baku and Yerevan, particularly the agreement on the draft peace treaty, describing it as a unique opportunity to establish durable peace, security and sustainable development across the region.
“We can say with confidence that today there is de facto peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Bayramov stated, expressing optimism about the prospects for completing the peace process.
During the talks, Bayramov briefed his Russian counterpart on Azerbaijan’s large-scale reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories, the ongoing return of former internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the latest developments in the normalization process with Armenia.
He stressed that Azerbaijan’s consistent peace initiatives, including confidence-building measures, have played a significant role in advancing negotiations. According to the minister, resolving the remaining outstanding issues will help create the conditions necessary for long-term peace, regional stability and greater mutual trust.
The discussions also covered key regional and international developments. Addressing the situation in the Middle East, Bayramov emphasized that diplomatic engagement and strict adherence to international law remain the only effective means of preventing further escalation and alleviating the humanitarian crisis.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Azerbaijani foreign minister reiterated Azerbaijan’s deep concern over the continued military hostilities, noting that the conflict has resulted in significant human suffering and negatively affected regional stability. He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s unwavering commitment to the principles of international law and called for the reduction of tensions through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy.
Concluding his remarks, Bayramov described the Moscow talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as constructive and expressed confidence that the discussions would further strengthen the positive agenda in Azerbaijan-Russia relations while enhancing cooperation on regional and international issues.
