Peace and Security: Armenian and Azerbaijani Group says “the conflict is over”. “It is in the hands of our nations now, to make this peace secure and lasting.”

The Thematic Groups for a new Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue have produced four reports which set out a vision for relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, over the next 15 years. The reports cover four key areas: (1) Peace and Security; (2) Regional Connectivity; (3) Good Governance; and (4) Environment. (click here to read more).

The thematic group on Peace and Security was made up of ten persons: Members from Armenia – Leonid Nersisyan (Co-chair) Armine Margaryan Sergei Melkonian Varduhi Harutyunyan Eduard Baghdasarov; and members from Azerbaijan – Murad Muradov (Co-chair) Eldar Hamzali Gulkhanim Mammadova Huseyn Sultanli Alihuseyn Guluzade.

In their report, the thematic group on Peace and Security, affirmed the historic importance of the Washington Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has created a new reality in the region and paved the way towards peace. The conflict is over, and the leadership of both countries are ready and committed to finalizing the reconciliation process. It is in the hands of our nations now, to make this peace secure and lasting. 

In their report the group listed major concerns of the parties and the risk for the peace they pose, including the issue of the Armenian constitutional referendum, communications opening, etc. They emphasis the need to embed normalisation between Baku and Yerevan into a larger regional framework that would make the South Caucasus as a whole more resilient and sovereign. They provide an overview of the international environment around the South Caucasus, including the interests of major actors and how they may be affected by the peace treaty.

The last part of the report deals gives an extensive list of recommendations for the peace process. They go beyond both immediate security interests and concerns, touching also upon more structural ones, regarding identities and practical aspects of peaceful coexistence- given the assumption that a lasting peace requires substantial progress on those issues as well.