Ambassador to UK: Peace agreement with Yerevan based on Baku's proposals

The text of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is based on terms that were previously proposed by Baku, but which Yerevan had rejected until recently, according to the article by Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Elin Suleymanov, published in The Telegraph.

Report informs that the diplomat said the agreement between Baku and Yerevan on the final text of the treaty is a significant milestone.

"The agreement on the final text is an important milestone in itself as it underscores the success of direct talks between the parties without external interference – the ineffectiveness of which was exemplified by the dysfunctional OSCE Minsk Group, now defunct in all but name. Hopefully, this also reflects the growing realisation in Armenia that building peaceful and mutually beneficial relations with neighbours requires a responsible approach rather than succumbing to jingoistic and ideological fantasy," he said.

The ambassador noted that the text of an agreement is not alone sufficient to engender lasting peace.

"Azerbaijan sincerely seeks normalisation with Armenia and long-term security in our region. But Armenia’s own Constitution, which even now still essentially calls for the annexation of Azerbaijani lands, remains a key obstacle. Simply put, the provisions in the agreement text on mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty are in direct contradiction with Armenia’s Constitution. Incidentally, vocal Armenian political forces opposed to any peace with Azerbaijan whatsoever continue to make territorial claims to our internationally recognised land – and point to their constitution as justification," he noted.