Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process not stalled, deputy FM says

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan claims the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process has not come to a standstill, reiterating Yerevan’s commitment to constructive dialogue.

"I cannot characterize the process as being at a deadlock," Kostanyan told reporters on Thursday.

He cited the recent meeting between the Armenian and Azeri border delimitation commissions and their agreement to hold more talks.

Referring to the negotiations on a peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku, Kostanyan said: "We have been waiting for Azerbaijan’s response to our proposals for quite some time. We hope to receive a response soon so that the process can move forward. Armenia, as before, remains committed to a constructive approach in the negotiations."

Commenting on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s threats against Armenia, Kostanyan stated the Armenian leadership had repeatedly responded to them. He highlighted that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent article also addressed this issue.

"Such statements are aimed at escalating tensions in the region. Armenia will not succumb to these provocations. We will continue to maintain a constructive stance in the negotiations."

When asked how Armenia’s leadership would respond to a potential Azerbaijani attack, the deputy minister responded: "Naturally, Armenia will defend its territorial integrity with all available means."

He also emphasized that strengthening Armenia’s defense capabilities is its sovereign right and pointed to Yerevan's proposal to set up a monitoring mechanism to control the regional arms race.