2024-10-06 08:31:48
Author: Bayram Elshadov
On Tuesday, the Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan decided to rant and complained to journalists about the fair demands of official Baku regarding territorial claims in the Armenian constitution. It turned out extremely awkwardly, since from Simonyan’s statements it becomes obvious that the Armenian government is still determined to delay the signing of a long-term peace.
It is clear that the constitution is an internal matter of each country. But the preamble of the Armenian constitution contains a reference to the Declaration of Independence, which states territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The text of the Declaration of Independence of Armenia included the decision of December 1, 1989 “On the reunification of the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh,” which is an obstacle to the peace agenda. It is the Armenian side that is torpedoing the peace process, which openly points out its territorial desires, which run counter to international law.
Azerbaijan has repeatedly emphasized that any territorial claims by Armenia contradict the principles of international law and cannot serve as a basis for peace negotiations. Despite the efforts of the international community calling for a peace treaty, the Armenian side continues to question Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over its internationally recognized territories, which undermines trust and slows down the negotiation process.
Such statements by Armenian officials only aggravate the situation, showing that Yerevan prefers to remain captive to outdated revanchist ideologies rather than move forward in resolving the conflict. Open or hidden territorial claims only aggravate tensions, which is extremely dangerous in conditions when the region needs stabilization and peaceful coexistence.
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The Azerbaijani side, on the contrary, demonstrates its readiness for a constructive dialogue and has repeatedly spoken out in favor of the need to sign a peace agreement that will put an end to the long-term conflict. However, without changes in Armenia’s position and abandonment of its territorial ambitions, progress in the negotiations remains unlikely. Recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should become the basis for a peace treaty.
The problem is not limited only to political ambitions – we are talking about the security and stability of the entire region. The absence of a peace agreement creates the ground for further conflicts, both in the political and military arenas. Repeated armed clashes in recent years have shown how fragile the situation can be if sustainable peace cannot be achieved.
Official Yerevan must realize that only through dialogue and renunciation of sabotage ambitions can a sustainable peace be achieved. The Armenian leadership needs to take a bold step forward by reviewing its policies and eliminating constitutional provisions that undermine prospects for long-term peace. Without this key step, achieving a peace treaty remains in doubt.
Maintaining Armenia’s current position regarding territorial claims could lead to further aggravation of the situation in the region. The actions of the Armenian authorities only delay the negotiation process, delaying the prospect of lasting peace. Ultimately, Yerevan’s refusal to take a constructive approach threatens the very future of Armenia. Therefore, the need to conclude a peace treaty is becoming increasingly obvious. It is important for Yerevan to recognize that territorial claims not only contradict international norms, but also do not meet the interests of the Armenian people themselves. Long-term peace is possible only on the basis of mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is a generally accepted principle in international relations. Only through abandoning revanchist ideologies and accepting new realities will Armenia be able to become a full participant in the peace process and provide its people with a stable future.