After the Washington meeting on August 8, certain progress has been made towards the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. On September 5, mutual visits of delegations from both countries to the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia took place under the leadership of Deputy Prime Ministers Shahin Mustafayev and Mher Grigoryan. In accordance with the agreements reached in Washington, the parties discussed issues related to the delimitation and demining of relevant sections/parts of the border line, as well as the restoration, construction of necessary infrastructure, and their implementation timelines, with the aim of synchronizing activities in the field of establishing communications. Two days prior, Andranik Simonyan, Director of the National Security Service of Armenia, arrived in our country to participate in the “3rd International Security Forum” held in Baku.
All these mutual visits are characterized as key steps on the path to lasting peace.
In a statement to Modern.az, Aydın Mirzəzadə, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Defense, Security and Anti-Corruption, stated that despite the absence of diplomatic relations, the participation of the head of Armenia's special services in the event in Baku is a result of our country's policy:
“The “3rd International Security Forum” held in Baku is an event of global significance. The organization of such an event speaks to the prestige of the host country. At the same time, this is an indicator of the high respect Azerbaijan has gained in the international community. Security is the number one issue for the world. Today, Azerbaijan's experience and approach are of interest to the world. The organization was at a high level. Representatives of special services from most countries of the world participated in the event. Even if we do not have diplomatic relations, the visit of the head of Armenia's special services to Azerbaijan can be considered a result of our country's policy".
The MP emphasized that if amendments are made to the Armenian constitution, relations between the two countries can develop in all areas, embassies can open, trade and economic ties can strengthen, and cooperation in the humanitarian field can occur:
"Azerbaijan is interested in establishing good relations with neighboring Armenia. To this end, Azerbaijan has issued relevant statements and demonstrated its position. The issuance of a trilateral statement in Washington on August 8 and the initialing of the text of the peace agreement indicate that this is the basis for writing a new page in the relations between the two countries. If provisions containing territorial claims against Azerbaijan are removed from the Armenian constitution, our relations can develop in all areas, embassies can open, trade and economic ties can strengthen, and cooperation in the humanitarian field can occur. Azerbaijan is ready for this and has repeatedly demonstrated its sincerity and concrete actions. We would very much like Armenia's recent theses regarding good relations with Azerbaijan not to remain merely words, but to be followed by real actions. The time has come to open a new page in bilateral relations. Armenia and the circles abroad supporting it have seen Azerbaijan's determination and its resolve to protect and strengthen its sovereignty. Azerbaijan should not be tested again. Azerbaijan is ready for friendship and good neighborliness and expects the same attitude from the other side. We are already seeing elements of normal neighborliness. There has been a visit by Armenia's special services to Baku. Tomorrow, a visit by one of our ministers to Yerevan could take place. The mutual high evaluation of each other's representatives by jury members from Azerbaijan and Armenia at an event held abroad, and the participation of a representative from one of Azerbaijan's analytical centers in an event in Yerevan, indicate that a foundation for good neighborliness has been created. The future lies in good neighborliness and sincere relations. Azerbaijan is ready for this, and we expect real steps from Armenia as well".
