LONDON — Deputy Head of the United Kingdom’s delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Deirdre Brown, has congratulated Armenia and Azerbaijan on the conclusion of negotiations over a peace agreement and has urged both parties to sign it as soon as possible.
This was stated in an official announcement published on the UK government’s website.
“The United Kingdom warmly congratulates Armenia and Azerbaijan on reaching the conclusion of peace agreement negotiations. This is a historic moment, and we call on both sides to sign the agreement as soon as possible. Finalizing this peace agreement is the best path to achieving lasting peace, ensuring security and stability across the South Caucasus. It will pave the way for increased trade and prosperity not only for Armenia and Azerbaijan but also for their neighbors,” the statement reads.
The announcement also urges the parties to avoid rhetoric that could undermine the prospects for peace.
“A return to conflict would be a tragedy and would set back progress toward peace in the region by years,” the statement emphasizes.
It further highlights that the United Kingdom, alongside its international partners, remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at establishing a stable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
On March 13, Armenia and Azerbaijan announced that they had agreed on a draft of the peace agreement and concluded negotiations over its content. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed initiating consultations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding the date and location of the signing. Azerbaijan, however, has put forward preconditions for signing the agreement.
Specifically, the Azerbaijani side continues to insist on the false claim that Armenia’s Constitution contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan, making constitutional amendments a prerequisite for signing the peace deal. A second precondition presented by Azerbaijan is the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group.
In parallel with these demands, Azerbaijan has also been spreading disinformation for several days, falsely alleging that Armenian armed forces are firing on Azerbaijani positions along various sections of the border.
