Armenia, Azerbaijan discuss peace matters in Geneva

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Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov have discussed the matter of a peace treaty in a meeting in Geneva, as revealed by the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

"The sides exchanged views on the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ensuring the rights and security guarantees for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, including through the establishment of a discussion mechanism between Stepanakert and Baku," the Armenian Foreign Ministry wrote in a statement. 

"The mutual understanding on unblocking of the regional transport routes under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries" was welcomed between both sides, according to the statement. 

Armenia is committed to calls for the prompt release of all Armenian prisoners of war as well as the removal of Azerbaijani forces from Armenian territory. The international monitoring systems that were put in place received special consideration, according to the Armenian foreign ministry.

Baku accused the Armenian military on September 12 of firing at the positions of the Azerbaijani troops near the border. Yerevan, in turn, said that the Azerbaijani military shelled the Armenian side, using artillery and drones, as a result of which several Armenian servicemen were killed.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry also reported losses in its ranks. The clashes continued the following day and Armenia demanded that an international observer mission be deployed on the ground. 

A Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) mission landed on September 15 at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border to monitor both sides.

Six weeks of violence in the autumn of 2020 claimed over 6,500 lives and ended with a ceasefire accord sponsored by Russia. 

Russia sent 2,000 peacekeepers to monitor the truce, but tensions remain despite a ceasefire deal.

With Moscow gaining momentum and further asserting its status in light of the recent ratification of four Ukrainian regions into Russia, the US and the EU have been struggling to take the leading role in mediating the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process.

In their last meetings mediated by European Council President Charles Michel, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pashinyan agreed to "advance discussions" on a future peace treaty.