Baku: The results of the parliamentary elections held in Armenia revealed a significant shift in societal choices, influenced by the geopolitical changes and new realities in the South Caucasus region. These election outcomes are not just a reflection of Armenia's internal political dynamics but are also shaped by the regional strategies championed by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, especially concerning the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is a crucial element of the policy.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, in the aftermath of the conflict, Azerbaijan has been instrumental in crafting the new political realities that have emerged. Through strategic military, political, and diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring territorial integrity, Azerbaijan has compelled the Armenian political landscape to seek fresh approaches. The elections highlighted the new regional realities, with Azerbaijani leadership playing a pivotal role in their creation. Armenian society increasingly recognizes that normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and achieving lasting peace is the only viable path forward.
Despite being victorious in the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijan initiated a peace proposal to ensure lasting stability in the region. President Ilham Aliyev's approach, which sought to normalize relations with Armenia through principles rooted in international law, illustrated Azerbaijan's commitment to fostering peace and cooperation. As a result, new cooperation opportunities have started to materialize. The Armenian leadership gradually realized that a confrontational stance did not align with the country's development goals, making the peace agenda a more practical choice.
In subsequent developments, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's support for Aliyev's policy enabled the peace agenda to yield tangible results. The Washington meeting paved the way for enhanced stability and security along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, with discussions on opening transport links and eliminating communication barriers. This could unlock economic prospects and transit benefits for both nations and the wider region.
The election results in Armenia underscore the influence of Azerbaijan's regional strategy. President Aliyev's policies have steered the region towards cooperation and peace, which Armenian society now sees as essential for the future. This represents a significant political shift toward establishing enduring peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
Following the elections, Azerbaijan's focus will shift from the outcome to the implications of these political decisions. For Azerbaijan, the critical issue is for Armenia to confirm its peace policy through concrete legal and institutional measures. While progress has been made, unresolved issues remain, particularly regarding Armenia's political and legal structures from the conflict era.
Azerbaijan expects Armenia to remove the Karabakh issue from its domestic and foreign policy agenda, as it believes the issue is resolved under international law. Baku stresses that structures perpetuating the conflict agenda should cease operations to align with the peace process.
A key test of the peace process is Armenia's Constitution, which contains provisions related to territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan views the legal elimination of these claims as vital for sustaining peace. Such changes would prevent the use of these issues as political tools by revanchist forces.
The signing of a final peace agreement is a significant post-election focus. Though progress has been made, the process is incomplete. If Armenia's authorities use their new mandate to address remaining issues, the South Caucasus could transition from conflict to cooperation, enhancing connectivity, economic integration, and mutual interdependence.
The Armenian elections have set the stage for potential transformation. If Pashinyan's government capitalizes on the mandate for reforms and completes the peace agenda, this could mark a historical turning point. Otherwise, the opportunity for regional stability may remain unfulfilled. The elections signify a mandate for alignment with new regional realities, with Armenia's future hinging on translating this into concrete peace agreements with Azerbaijan.