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.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Armenia and Azerbaijan Finalize Peace Treaty to End 40-Year Conflict
Conflict Duration	Nearly 40 years (since late 1980s)
Agreement Finalized	March 13, 2025
Disputed Region	Nagorno-Karabakh
Key Condition	Armenia to amend its constitution
Armenian Prime Minister	Nikol Pashinyan
Azerbaijani President	Ilham Aliyev
Role of Russia and EU	Restricted from border monitoring
Current Status	Treaty text finalized, but signing delayed