From Conflict to Cooperation: Can Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan Build a Stable Future?

At the Yerevan Dialogue 2024, held from September 9 to 11, the spotlight was on how the South Caucasus region could move from fragmentation to cooperation. The panel discussion, titled "South Caucasus at the Crossroads: Between Fragmentation and Cooperation," brought together key regional and international figures to explore what could transform the region into a more cooperative and interconnected area.

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Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan opened the discussion by speaking about the long and complex history of the South Caucasus. This region, which includes Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, has witnessed both cooperation and conflict over the years. However, Mirzoyan emphasized that now is the time to put an end to the bloodshed.

"We believe that Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan have a real opportunity to close the chapter of hostility and open a new era of stability and peace," said Mirzoyan. "This will not only benefit the three states but also the region's neighbors and the world."

Armenia, according to Mirzoyan, has chosen the path of peace and is seeing positive results, especially in the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan. Progress has been made in areas such as border delimitation and discussions on a draft peace treaty.

However, he stressed the importance of all countries in the region making a similar commitment to peace. Mirzoyan pointed to Europe as an example, where countries with long histories of conflict have managed to build lasting peace through cooperation.

Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Vice Prime Minister, was asked during the panel about what advice Luxembourg could offer to Armenia. Bettel drew parallels between Luxembourg’s history and the current situation in the South Caucasus. Luxembourg, too, had been occupied by its neighbors in the past, but eventually realized that cooperation, rather than conflict, was the key to peace.

"Countries don’t have the luxury of choosing their neighbors," Bettel remarked. "But by working together on joint projects, peace becomes achievable." He encouraged Armenia to stay "on the right side of history" and focus on creating a shared future with its neighbors, even if past conflicts remain unresolved.

Former Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė also shared her insights, noting that Lithuania had faced challenges similar to Armenia’s. Over the past 20 years, Lithuania had managed to transform itself into a country with living conditions that meet European standards. Grybauskaitė attributed this success to political will, economic independence, and cooperation with both neighboring and more distant countries. She emphasized that every nation must consider its own unique circumstances when pursuing peace and development.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, expressed optimism about the future of the South Caucasus. Georgia enjoys good relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Darsalia emphasized the importance of all regional players working together to achieve their goals.

"Our region is entering a new era," Darsalia said. "New developments are creating opportunities for regional cooperation, and Georgia is committed to playing its role in this process." He said that Georgia does not seek to act as a mediator but is ready to assist efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Armenia and Turkey.

Darsalia also pointed out that cooperation, rather than division, is key to unlocking the potential of the region. By building stronger connections between nations—both politically and economically—the South Caucasus could move toward greater stability and prosperity.

Iran, which shares borders with the South Caucasus, has a vested interest in the region's stability. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mohammad Hassan Sheikholeslami, spoke about the importance of preventing conflicts from spilling over into Iranian territory. The South Caucasus is strategically important to Iran, both politically and economically, and the country is keen to strengthen its ties with Europe and Eurasia through the region's energy resources and transportation routes.

"Iran has always been a driving force for peace and stability in the region," Sheikholeslami stated. He welcomed the peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan and reiterated Iran's readiness to help its neighbors settle their disputes. Iran also supports the reopening of transportation routes in the region, provided that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries are respected.

The Yerevan Dialogue 2024 highlights the possibility of a new era for the South Caucasus—a region historically defined by conflict but now on the brink of cooperation. The discussions revealed that while challenges remain, the path to peace and stability is clear: collaboration, dialogue, and shared development projects are the key to unlocking the region's potential.

As the South Caucasus stands at this critical crossroads, the decisions made today will shape the region for generations to come. The message from the Yerevan Dialogue was clear: peace is not only possible—it is within reach.