The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan held a meeting in Iran on October 23, marking their first official talks since Azerbaijan achieved control over the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The discussion, which took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, provided fresh hope for a resolution to a long-standing conflict that has plagued the South Caucasus.
The central issue at the forefront of the discussion was the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.
“The conflict has, on the whole, been settled. Both sides agree that Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan and that was the main issue to be settled,” Russia’s Tass news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying in Tehran.
He emphasized that the main hurdle had been surmounted, but there remains a need for practical steps to ensure full normalization of relations. These steps encompass preparations for a comprehensive peace treaty, border demarcation, and the establishment of unimpeded economic transport links.
Russia, which perceives itself as the security guarantor between the two neighboring countries, has seen its influence in the South Caucasus wane due to the demands of its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
Notably, Iran and Turkey, a key ally of Azerbaijan, were also present at the meeting.
A joint statement from the participants affirmed their commitment to respecting the territorial integrity of nations within the region.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, regarded the talks as a “historic opportunity” and underlined that it was time for peace and cooperation.
He also subtly alluded to the potential for outsider involvement to complicate the situation, implicitly referencing the United States and the European Union, whose roles in the peace process have raised concerns within Russia.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed that Tehran “was ready to assist in resolving the existing disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia”.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a statement shared on social media, expressed hope that these talks would invigorate the normalization and peace processes, underscoring Ankara’s commitment to a peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, in Paris, the French Defense Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, revealed that France was contributing to Armenia’s air defense capabilities by selling three radars and establishing an agreement for the future delivery of Mistral anti-air missiles. This move demonstrated France’s commitment to supporting Armenia.
Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, had been under the control of breakaway ethnic Armenians since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. Azerbaijan’s successful recapture of the region led to the displacement of a majority of its 120,000 ethnic Armenian residents. Armenia accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing, while Azerbaijan extended an invitation for Armenians to return.
The conflict between Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan has spanned two wars over three decades, with numerous peace efforts by the United States, European Union, and Russia failing to yield a lasting resolution. The recent diplomatic talks in Iran, however, offer renewed optimism for the prospects of a lasting peace in the South Caucasus.