Bad neighbors are trouble. Will Azerbaijan be able to solve its problems with its neighbors (Armenia, Iran)?

Baku/07.06.23/Turan: Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are scheduled to hold a meeting in Washington on June 12, while Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are expected to meet in Brussels on July 21. European Council President Charles Michel announced these upcoming meetings after a five-sided meeting in Chisinau.

During a trilateral meeting in Moscow on May 25, President Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan has no territorial claims against Armenia, opening the possibility of signing a peace treaty between the two countries. He emphasized the opportunity for a peace agreement, taking into account Armenia's recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Armenian Secretary of the Security Council, Armen Grigoryan, stated on June 5 that a peace agreement between the parties could be signed before the end of the year. He highlighted the intensive negotiations underway and expressed the importance of strong international support for reaching a peace agreement as soon as possible.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, speaking in parliament on June 5, stated that the future peace agreement would not include a digital indicator of territorial integrity. He emphasized that Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan has no territorial claims against Armenia within the borders that existed when the two socialist republics were part of the Soviet Union. Mirzoyan also mentioned that the specific map to delimit the border between the two countries has not yet been agreed upon, but Armenia prefers to use the 1975 map. Regarding enclaves on the territories of Azerbaijan and Armenia, he stated that the draft peace agreement does not address the issue of enclaves.

Political commentator Zardusht Alizadeh provided his analysis on the progress of the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace talks, as well as the recent developments in Azerbaijani-Iranian relations, during the "Difficult Question" program. Alizadeh expressed optimism about the peace process, noting that the positions of the parties are gradually converging. He highlighted Armenia's change in stance, acknowledging Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan and showing willingness to engage in negotiations on delimitation. Alizadeh also emphasized positive developments, such as Azerbaijan establishing a checkpoint on the Lachin road and inviting the Armenian side of Karabakh to begin negotiations.

The expert also mentioned Russia's dissatisfaction with the rapprochement between Baku and Yerevan, stating that Russia incites Karabakh Armenians and encourages unrealistic demands for self-determination and independence. However, Alizadeh dismissed these efforts as empty talk, emphasizing that the balance of power ultimately determines the outcome.