Armenia sees 'regression' on issue of signing peace treaty with Azerbaijan

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Wednesday that Yerevan has seen "some regression" in Azerbaijan's proposal for a peace treaty.

Speaking at a news conference in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, following a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, Mirzoyan said, "In some parts (of the draft treaty) there is a regression, and in some there is progress."

"We have worked very constructively on these proposals and sent them to Baku," he said.

Mirzoyan highlighted Armenia's priorities for a peace treaty: A recognition of Armenia's territorial integrity by Azerbaijan and "clear delimitation of state borders."

The transport and other communications in the region must be restored "on the principles of bilateralism and within the framework of the sovereignty of those countries through which they must pass," he said.

Mirzoyan said Armenia eyes continuation of talks with Azerbaijan.

Turning to the EU monitoring mission that is deployed on the border with Azerbaijan, Mirzoyan said it has "vital importance" for his country.

"The EU civil mission is very important for us, vital from the point of view of security. We welcomed the EU's decision to expand this mission," he said.

Relations between the two former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan during a war in the fall of 2020. The process ended in September 2023 during a one-day anti-terrorism operation.