The Joint Armenian-Azerbaijani Liaison Group on Confidence-building measures in support of lasting peace in the South Caucasus

We, the members of the Joint Armenian-Azerbaijani Liaison Group on Confidence-building measures in support of lasting peace in the South Caucasus, welcome the statement issued by the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia on Thursday 7 December, announcing an agreement for the release of prisoners, and other confidence-building measures between the sides.  This statement is a significant step in the process of normalization of bilateral relations and resumption of negotiations.

We welcome the fact that in their statement, the two sides, say that they “share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region” and that “the two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Our Joint Liaison Group has been working since the summer of 2021 to develop ideas on confidence-building measures, and to muster political and popular support for their implementation. Our report of April 2022: “The South Caucasus from war to peace: thirty measures between now and 2030” proposes concrete measures that can be implemented in the short, medium, and long term, not only to achieve peace, but also to subsequently consolidate it. Much has happened since this report was published, and some of the proposals have been overtaken by events. But the need to build trust and confidence remains high. We are delighted that the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan have in their statement said that they will continue their discussions regarding the implementation of more confidence building measures, effective in the near future. The process of normalisation of bilateral relations should now continue uninterrupted, including through further humanitarian steps and on issues related to missing persons.

We join their call on the international community to support their efforts that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries and will positively impact the entire South Caucasus region. We call on Armenians and Azerbaijanis to recognise the significance of this moment and support efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.

9 December 2023

The members of the Joint Armenian-Azerbaijani Liaison Group on Confidence-building measures in support of lasting peace in the South Caucasus

Benyamin Poghosyan (Armenia – Co-rapporteur); Johnny Melikyan (Armenia – member); Stepan Grigoryan (Armenia- member); Taron Hovhannisian (Armenia – member); Tatevik Hayrapetian (Armenia – member); Gevorg Melikyan (Armenia- member).

Ahmad Alili (Azerbaijan – co-rapporteur); Mehman Aliyev (Azerbaijan – member); Shahla Ismayil (Azerbaijan – member); Gulmammad Mammadov (Azerbaijan -member)  Ramazan Samadov (Azerbaijan - member); Anar Valiyev (Azerbaijan – member).

More information on the Joint Liaison Group is available here or by contacting the JOLIG Secretariat at LINKS Europe (office@links-europe.eu).-0-