PM Pashinyan Heads to Abu Dhabi for New Round of Peace Talks with Azerbaijan

On July 9, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan traveled to the United Arab Emirates for a working visit that includes a high-level diplomatic meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. This meeting is part of the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan following years of conflict, including the 2020 war and the forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2023.

Before the talks with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan is expected to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting shows Armenia’s commitment to strengthening ties with international partners, especially with countries like the UAE that have emerged as neutral hosts for sensitive negotiations.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace meeting is scheduled for July 10 in Abu Dhabi. This will be the first direct encounter between the two leaders since their last meeting on May 16 in Tirana, Albania, during the 6th Summit of the European Political Community. In Tirana, both sides acknowledged progress on drafting a peace agreement, though no final deal was reached.

The situation remains fragile. Azerbaijan continues to pressure Armenia on several fronts, including territorial demands and calls for the so-called “Zangezur corridor” through southern Armenia—something Yerevan has strongly rejected. Despite these tensions, Armenia has repeatedly shown its willingness to engage in dialogue and secure a peaceful future for its people, even after suffering major losses in Artsakh and facing threats to its territorial integrity.

For Armenia, these talks are about more than just diplomacy—they are about protecting sovereignty, ensuring security for its citizens, and achieving long-term stability in the region. As the diaspora closely watches this meeting in Abu Dhabi, many are hoping that Armenia’s commitment to peace will not come at the cost of its rights, land, or dignity.

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