Armenia and Azerbaijan Finalize Peace Treaty to End 40-Year Conflict

In a historic breakthrough, Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the text of a peace treaty, ending almost four decades of conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The peace agreement was finalized on March 13, 2025, marking a significant step toward establishing stability in the South Caucasus region. However, Azerbaijan demands a change in Armenia’s constitution before signing the treaty, which has created uncertainty regarding the timeline for its official signing.

Key Highlights of the Agreement

Background of the Conflict

• The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in the late 1980s, when the region, with a majority ethnic Armenian population, attempted to separate from Azerbaijan with Armenia’s support.
• The conflict led to two wars and mass expulsions of ethnic communities from both sides.
• Azerbaijan retook the Nagorno-Karabakh region by force in September 2023, causing 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia.

The Peace Agreement

• Both Armenia and Azerbaijan finalized the text of the peace treaty on March 13, 2025.
• Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the treaty is ready for signing and proposed consultations on the date and location for the signing ceremony.
• Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry also expressed satisfaction with the draft treaty.

Conditions for Signing

• Azerbaijan insists that Armenia must amend its constitution, claiming it makes implicit territorial claims on Azerbaijan.
• Armenia denies the allegations but Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has acknowledged the need to replace the constitution through a referendum, though no date has been set.

Geopolitical Impact

The agreement prevents third-party forces from being deployed along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, which affects,

• European Union’s monitoring mission, which Baku opposes.
• Russian border guards stationed at parts of Armenia’s frontier.

Challenges and Future Prospects

• Despite the agreement, tensions remain high, with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev accusing Armenia of posing a “fascist threat” in January 2025.
• Both nations aim to normalize relations and demilitarize their 1000 km shared border.