During his address, Bayramov highlighted that while the OSCE remains constrained by malicious ambitions, substantial progress has been achieved on the ground between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He noted that the elimination of illegal military deployments and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity have effectively established peace, creating a foundation for inter-state normalization. “These new conditions pave the way for progress,” the minister emphasized.
Bayramov underscored that since the last OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, Azerbaijan and Armenia have completed the delimitation and demarcation of some sections of their borders through direct bilateral dialogue. He announced that the recently implemented Regulation on joint activities of border commissions will guide the next phases of delimitation efforts. On another front, significant progress has been made regarding the text of the draft bilateral agreement, further demonstrating the effectiveness of direct negotiations as the most viable path forward in the normalization process—a principle consistently advocated by Azerbaijan.
Despite these achievements, the minister pointed out persistent challenges hindering the finalization of the peace process. Bayramov stated that Armenia’s commitment to respecting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must translate into action, including amending constitutional and legislative provisions that contain territorial claims against Azerbaijan. “Peace and good-neighborly relations cannot be sustainable and irreversible if such claims remain embedded in Armenia’s Constitution, and if the implementation of the bilateral agreement is contingent on domestic political scenarios,” he stressed.
At this historic juncture, where an opportunity exists to turn the page on confrontation and establish good-neighborly relations, Bayramov called for all efforts to focus on finalizing the normalization process based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Azerbaijan’s determination in this respect is unwavering. We expect reciprocal political will and responsibility from Armenia,” he affirmed, urging the international community to refrain from provocative actions and avoid exacerbating tensions, particularly within the OSCE.
In addition to addressing the Armenia-Azerbaijan context, Bayramov drew attention to broader issues undermining the OSCE’s effectiveness, including the erosion of multilateralism due to selective applications of international law and the rise of ethnic and religious intolerance, such as Islamophobia in Europe. He emphasized the need to eliminate outdated OSCE structures linked to the former Minsk process to enhance the Organization’s efficiency.
Concluding his speech, the Azerbaijani foreign minister reiterated the importance of adhering to the fundamental principles enshrined in OSCE documents, including the Helsinki Final Act, as the cornerstone of security and peace. Bayramov’s remarks highlighted both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain, setting the tone for continued efforts toward lasting peace and cooperation in the region.
