The direct meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, held in Abu Dhabi, has been recognized as an event that may open a new page for the region’s future, APA news agency reported. Negotiations between Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan lasted more than four hours, with the region’s most pressing issues discussed — the peace treaty, the road issue between the Nakhchivan exclave and the main territory of Azerbaijan, and the delimitation of borders.
The meeting was held face-to-face with the participation of advisors, and working groups headed by the foreign ministers and deputy prime ministers of both countries were also involved in the process. Another notable aspect of this historic meeting is that it is taking place as Russia’s influence in the region wanes, with diplomatic support from the European Union and the United States entering a new phase.
While Russia previously served as the main mediator for both countries, its influence has notably diminished after the war in Ukraine. Yerevan and Baku are now seeking to resolve regional issues directly and to expand the involvement of the international community. The support of Turkey and the US for reconciliation, and Russia’s merely formal support for normalization, have created a new geopolitical landscape in the Caucasus.
Experts regard this meeting as a genuine rapprochement and a decisive stage. Olesya Vartanyan has noted that the first direct dialogue between the leaders is a significant step. Although officials from both countries have called the meeting a historic moment and have not fully disclosed the outcomes, the meeting itself has been described as constructive.
At the same time, there was no significant breakthrough in the negotiations — no date or place for the possible signing of a peace treaty was announced, nor were any concrete agreements made on the opening of roads and communications. This demonstrates deep distrust between the two nations and that political will alone is not enough to resolve such entrenched issues.
After the negotiations, normalization of relations in both Armenia and Azerbaijan is primarily seen as an opportunity to reduce Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus. Since the 2022 war in Ukraine, Russia’s regional authority has declined, but both countries remain wary of the Kremlin’s attempts to regain its recent foothold.
In reality, the Aliyev–Pashinyan meeting is the result of many years of diplomatic efforts and numerous summits. Having lost confidence in Russian protection, Yerevan is now ready for direct negotiations, though there is still no concrete outcome regarding any decisive agreement.
In conclusion, the Abu Dhabi meeting is the next step on the long and complex road to peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Many unresolved issues remain between the two neighbors, but this meeting has opened new opportunities for rapprochement and cooperation. The key challenge for the region is to overcome historic animosities, distrust, and external influences to achieve true peace. The main role in this process now belongs to the courage of the leaders and the firm will of both peoples. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
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