Armenian Foreign Minister Says He Sees Promising Peace Prospects with Azerbaijan

At a joint news conference on Wednesday alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan highlighted a hopeful window of opportunities for peace with Azerbaijan. In a significant diplomatic gathering in Yerevan, Mirzoyan emphasized Armenia's persistent commitment to actively engaging in negotiations aimed at normalizing relations and fostering lasting peace between the two nations.

"Armenia has consistently showcased its dedication to the process and the overarching objective of establishing a stable peace within the region," asserted Mirzoyan, addressing the press.

Highlighting the ongoing multilateral negotiations, Mirzoyan outlined the current focus on drafting a comprehensive peace agreement. He revealed receipt of recent proposals from Azerbaijan, affirming Armenia's intent to meticulously review and reciprocate with its own propositions.

"There exists a genuine prospect of concluding this peace process," Mirzoyan articulated, acknowledging the complexities arising from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's aftermath. "The Armenian government is resolutely committed to seeing this process through. However, it's important to recognize that unilateral efforts are insufficient. Azerbaijan's constructive engagement is equally imperative."

Expressing optimism tinged with caution, Mirzoyan acknowledged the mixed signals from Azerbaijan—ranging from positive strides such as the release of Armenian captives to negative rhetoric and avoidance of meetings. He articulated hope for Azerbaijan's willingness to engage constructively in forging a peace treaty.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian echoed his observations from discussions with Mirzoyan, expressing Armenia's serious intent towards achieving lasting peace. Amir-Abdollahian shared insights from recent conversations with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, citing shared aspirations for a potential agreement in the early months of the forthcoming year.

"Positive sentiments within the region offer a realistic prospect of attaining stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," remarked Amir-Abdollahian. He emphasized the potential for achieving an agreement, free from external influences, through collaborative efforts involving Iran, Russia, and Turkey in a 3+3 format.

The joint news conference solidified Armenia's commitment to the negotiation process while signaling a collective hope for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict with Azerbaijan.