Baku: Azerbaijan and Armenia have reached a critical milestone by initialing a joint declaration in August 2025, aiming to cease hostilities and build interstate relations based on mutual respect for borders and sovereignty. This historic agreement is seen as a pivotal step towards achieving sustainable peace and fostering stable development in the South Caucasus region, potentially paving the way for enhanced economic collaboration, including trade and infrastructure development.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Joseph K©chichian, a senior fellow at the Royal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh, emphasizes that regional stability is achieved when neighboring countries cease hostilities and respect each other's borders and sovereignty. He highlights the importance of mutual acknowledgment of past differences and the role of leadership in prioritizing the long-term interests of their populations.
K©chichian points to the potential of economic cooperation between Baku and Yerevan as a means to strengthen trust. He draws parallels with the historical cooperation between France and Germany, suggesting that Azerbaijan and Armenia could embark on specific programs to build trust. This approach, though time-consuming, could lead to successful long-term partnerships.
The expert also discusses the significance of opening transport and logistics corridors through the South Caucasus, which could enhance connections and promote regional integration. He believes that technical staff from both countries can devise effective mechanisms for implementing these initiatives.
Cultural, educational, and civil society exchanges are identified as crucial avenues for fostering long-term peaceful relations. K©chichian notes that these exchanges help dispel stereotypes and promote mutual understanding, laying a solid foundation for peace based on trust and human dialogue. He urges leaders to educate societies, emphasize positive interactions, and encourage intellectual exchanges to achieve sustainable peace.
Finally, K©chichian addresses the challenge of rebuilding trust, which requires respect, ethics, and norms. He underscores the need for universal ethical values to be applied across the region, suggesting that these elements are essential for laying the foundation for socio-political trust between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia.