Pashinyan calls for simultaneous conclusion of peace deal and OSCE Minsk Group dissolution

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated his government’s commitment to establishing peace with Azerbaijan during a parliamentary address on the execution of the 2024 state budget on Tuesday. He urged Baku to jointly sign a comprehensive peace agreement and proposed the simultaneous dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Pashinyan emphasized that Azerbaijan has linked the peace deal to two key conditions: the formal dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group and a change of Armenia’s constitution allegedly containing territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

Regarding the Minsk Group, Pashinyan said Armenia has no objection to its dissolution if it is done simultaneously with the signing of the peace treaty. He stressed that this dual signing would prevent misinterpretations that the dissolution signifies shifting the conflict into Armenian territory.

On constitutional concerns, Pashinyan cited a September 2024 ruling by Armenia’s Constitutional Court, affirming that the Alma-Ata Declaration, which recognizes Soviet-era borders, is in full compliance with the Armenian constitution. Thus, he stressed, Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan, officially or legally.

While accusing Baku of dragging out the process under false pretenses, Pashinyan also acknowledged concerns over territorial claims against Armenia in Azerbaijan’s constitution, which Armenia has chosen not to highlight for the sake of peace. He argued that the best way to resolve mutual doubts is to sign the peace deal, which would then be reviewed by Armenia’s Constitutional Court. If deemed constitutional, it would be ratified by the parliament and override any legal inconsistencies under international law.

Pashinyan also pointed to ongoing ceasefire violations by Azerbaijani forces, including the recent incidents near the village of Khnatsakh in Armenia’s Syunik Province. Despite provocations, he stressed that the Armenian army has been ordered not to violate the ceasefire. He called on Azerbaijan to investigate violations and proposed the creation of a joint mechanism to monitor border incidents.

Rejecting predictions of renewed war, Pashinyan announced: “There is no reason for conflict. Armenia and Azerbaijan have recognized each other’s territorial integrity. There will be no war – only peace.”