Significant progress has been made in the peace talks with Armenia, said Elchin Amirbeyov, the representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special tasks in his speech at an online seminar hosted by the Hudson Institute in the United States.

"We have made important progress towards the peace agreement. We have never been so close to it. Now both countries have a historic opportunity to finally close the chapter of hostility, change the situation in the South Caucasus, and turn it into a place of good neighborliness, stability, and peace," Amirbeyov stated. He noted the long-standing mediation efforts, spanning almost 30 years, and emphasized that since last December, both countries have agreed that a bilateral direct format is the most effective way to continue and conclude negotiations. This approach has led to significant achievements, particularly in building trust between the parties.

Reflecting on the current status of the peace agreement, Amirbeyov remarked, "Looking at the text of the peace agreement on the negotiation table, it seems that the parties are very close to its conclusion."

Azerbaijan is committed to meeting the expectations of the international community and resolving the underlying conflict, which centers on Armenia's territorial claims to Azerbaijan. Amirbeyov expressed hope that the remaining difficulties would be resolved soon, leading to a safe, sustainable, and irreversible peace.

When asked about the timing of the peace agreement, Amirbeyov clarified that it is premature to announce an exact date. "This mostly depends on the ability and readiness of the Armenian side to eliminate the only remaining obstacle on the way to the signing of the peace agreement, that is, territorial claims against Azerbaijan established in the Constitution," he explained. He reiterated that most of the text of the peace agreement has been agreed upon and that the remaining issues can be addressed. However, a peace agreement cannot be signed while ignoring the core issue of Armenia's constitutional territorial claims. "Therefore, the sooner this obstacle is resolved, the sooner we will reach the final solution," Amirbeyov informed the seminar participants.

Watch the full video of Elchin Amirbeyov’s speech below:

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