The text of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement was initialed at the Washington meeting on August 8. The issue of mutual trust-building was specifically noted in the initialed peace document. Reciprocal visits by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia have already taken place.
The role of political parties in the field of mutual trust-building is always highly valued.
However, have representatives of Armenian political parties established any communication with their Azerbaijani counterparts since August 8? Or is such a meeting being planned?
The **Modern.az** website contacted some parties in Azerbaijan with these questions.
Fazil Mustafa, Chairman of the Great Establishment Party and Chairman of the Public Associations and Religious Organizations Committee of the Milli Majlis, stated that they have had no communication with political parties in Armenia since the Washington meeting:
“No such contact has been established since the Washington meeting. In the future, depending on the situation and what our state interests demand, we may participate in certain processes aimed at that. But factually, such a situation does not currently exist.”
Razi Nurullayev, Chairman of the National Front Party and MP, also said that they have not been in contact with any parties in Armenia since the Washington meeting on August 8:
"Such contacts are not yet planned. If there is any initiative from the state, and if it positively impacts the peace process, then this initiative can be put forward on the basis of mutual trust."
According to Arzuxan Əlizadə, Chairman of the Azerbaijan National Independence Party and MP, today only the "Civil Contract" Party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, demonstrates relative constructiveness in Armenia:
"It is also interested in forming constructive relations with us by accepting the realities created by Azerbaijan. They say they are ready to take steps in this direction. Statements by individual representatives of the Pashinyan administration give reason to say this. Sufficiently serious steps must be taken to improve relations between our peoples. This initiative must come especially from the other side. Almost all Armenian political parties openly demonstrate that they live with revanchist sentiments; they do not hide this.
Unfortunately, aggression against Azerbaijan still exists in Armenian society. I believe that interstate relations will manifest themselves in inter-people relations over time. This requires time and real steps from the Armenian side. The conditions put forward by Azerbaijan have been accepted by Armenia. However, territorial claims against Azerbaijan and Turkey must be removed from the Armenian constitution. At the same time, 4 villages of Azerbaijan are under Armenian occupation. There are many points that cannot be forgotten in a short period. We cannot forget the tragedies that befell us over the last century in a short time. Because we were forgetful, misfortunes repeatedly befell us. Naturally, as AMIP, I express our interest in the normalization of interstate relations and the establishment of peace and stability in the region. Armenian society must retreat from its aggression against Azerbaijan and the Turkic world. Steps that will lead to the creation of an environment of mutual trust must be taken in action, not just in words. The obligations undertaken by Armenia for the signing of the peace agreement must be fulfilled. After this, it will be possible to speak about the formation of an environment of trust."
The AMIP chairman noted that it is possible for Armenian political parties to operate, cooperate, and take joint steps to form an environment of trust in society with parties operating in Azerbaijan on certain platforms and in some forms in the future:
"As AMIP, we have been cooperating with the European People's Party, the largest faction of the European Parliament, since 2008. Three parties from Armenia are represented in the events held within this platform. One of them is the Republican Party of ex-president Serzh Sargsyan. Sargsyan's attitude towards Azerbaijan and our people is well-known. The attitude towards Azerbaijanis and the Turkic world in the party led by a person whose hands are stained with the blood of innocent people in the Khojaly genocide is clear. We have seen this many times in their speeches and statements. He
I repeat, we are proponents of peace and stability. In this context, we are ready and open to cooperation. However, the past must never be forgotten. It is necessary to guide processes by remembering what happened in the past. I emphasize once again that the Armenian side caused the deterioration of the situation. Today, certain confessions are being made by Pashinyan and his administration. These confessions must also be made by Armenian society."
Fəzail Ağamalı, Chairman of the Motherland Party, said that the Washington meeting played an important role in the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations and the initialing of the peace agreement:
"In fact, this meeting laid the foundation for a new stage in overcoming the long-standing enmity and mutual distrust between the two states. In this regard, contacts have already moved beyond the level of heads of state and begun to express themselves among other branches of government. The meetings of deputy prime ministers, as well as the participation of the head of the Armenian State Security Service in an international conference held in Azerbaijan, can serve as proof of what we have said. The process will probably continue. In the next stage, we will witness reciprocal visits of non-governmental organizations and the press. This, of course, will contribute to the development of trust and confidence between the two states and peoples."
The party chairman does not see prospects for Azerbaijani and Armenian political parties establishing contacts:
"Because, apart from the ruling party led by Pashinyan, other political organizations harbor revanchist and nationalist sentiments and do not accept or understand Azerbaijan's successes. There is no prospect for the establishment of relations with such parties. The party led by Pashinyan may, in the future, establish relations with the New Azerbaijan Party as the ruling party. Personally, I cannot say anything on behalf of other parties. However, our party does not intend to cooperate with Armenian political parties in the current situation. New parties may emerge in the future. If a more constructive party emerges, one that does not harbor enmity towards Azerbaijan, that prioritizes living in good neighborly conditions, and that sets aside meaningless claims, then we can cooperate."
Akif Nağı, Chairman of the Free Motherland Party, responded to our inquiry as follows:
"When our lands were under occupation, we were completely against Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. During that period, some of our parties met with Armenian political parties in various places and participated in joint events. Meetings organized with the initiative and funding of European institutions were presented as inter-society, inter-party dialogue. We always criticized that. Now, of course, the situation has changed, our lands have been liberated from occupation, and Armenia is in a defeated state. Relations are being restored both officially and at the level of unofficial societies. Our experts participate in events held in Yerevan. However, my position is that these issues should be approached with caution. Armenians are always ready for an assault, an attack against Azerbaijan. In the current time, when Azerbaijan is victorious, they pretend to be an interested party in relations with us. In the 20th century, they carried out acts of genocide against us at least twice. We have forgiven all of these. For 70 years – from 1920 to 1990 – good relations were established with Armenians, and all kinds of conditions were created for them. Later, they betrayed Azerbaijan again. Therefore, I advocate for approaching these relations with caution. I am not in favor of warm relations with them. We have no intention of meeting with Armenian political parties. If anyone wants to meet, we advise them to act with extreme caution. Armenians should not be allowed too close. The recent terror attempt in Khankendi is a clear example of this. Although that person claimed to love Azerbaijan."
Mütəllim Rəhimli, Chairman of the Justice Party, said that purposeful work must be done to establish trust and achieve peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia:
"First and foremost, it is crucial to establish mutual relations at the official level. Initial steps are being taken in this regard, and dialogue exists at the level of state officials. Official visits to Baku and Yerevan are also being observed. To achieve results, this needs to be developed."
Our interviewee emphasized that while the establishment of relations between the political parties of the two countries is required, it is still too early:
"The preconditions for this have not been met. Currently, there is no dialogue, even online, between the political parties of the two countries. I believe that the initial steps should be taken by the ruling parties in both Azerbaijan and Armenia. After that, it will be possible to talk about establishing relations between pro-government and opposition parties."
Tural Abbaslı, Chairman of the White Party, said that he is generally skeptical about the peace processes between the two countries:
"The peace agreement expected to be signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia is not in our country's interests. We do not need it. One of the main reasons is that Armenia has always been distinguished by its disrespectful attitude towards its signature. It has always violated peace and ceasefire agreements. In accordance with the statement of November 10, 2020, they did not ensure the withdrawal of separatist forces from our territories and the return of Azerbaijanis there. They did not hand over mine maps and weapons. On the contrary, they started to re-establish 'Artsakh' there. And Azerbaijan conducted an anti-terror operation in September 2023, and we lost about 200 martyrs. If Armenians had respected their signatures and kept their word, we would not have lost 200 martyrs. From that perspective, I have always been skeptical about this issue. As the White Party, we have not participated in trust-building processes, and we will not. We do not believe in it, and we will not believe in it. When Azerbaijan offered Armenians registered in our territory to stay after the war, 3-5 people agreed. One of these people recently attacked Azerbaijani police with a grenade in his hand. That is, terrorism is inherent in their nature. There is no point in cooperating with the political force of such a state."
Gülağa Aslanlı, Deputy Chairman of the Musavat Party, answered our question as follows:
"It would be better if we returned to this question after our party's next Council meeting. Most likely, this issue will also be discussed at the Council."
