After the initialing of the text of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington, serious steps have been taken by both countries for the final agreement. Currently, one of Azerbaijan's main demands for the final peace agreement concerns an amendment or change to the Armenian Constitution. Official Yerevan has already started relevant work for this. At a meeting of the Armenian parliament, Arusyak Julakyan, a deputy from the ruling party, noted that the Constitution is being rewritten and the text of the draft is expected to be published by the end of this year.
The readiness of the Armenian Constitution draft by the end of this year increases the likelihood of signing the final peace agreement for next year.
In a statement to Modern.az, Rasim Musabayov, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on International Relations and Interparliamentary Relations, stated that peace already exists between the two countries:
"Mr. President Ilham Aliyev said that peace exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Currently, work is underway on the delimitation of borders, transit cargo is transported from Azerbaijan to Armenia, and Azerbaijan sends oil products and fuel to Armenia. Along the border, not only are there no deaths or injuries, but not even a gunshot is heard. Parliament members and parliamentary leaders meet. All this is evident. It remains to sign and ratify the peace agreement. Even without Azerbaijan's demand, Pashinyan said in 2018 that the Constitution should be renewed. I am sure that the new Constitution will not contain a reference to the Declaration of Independence that worries Azerbaijan. I repeat, peace currently exists, and the parties are interested in strengthening it. For me, the realization of the TRIPP project and its use in a regime that satisfies Azerbaijan is more important."
Former Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov noted that if Armenia wants to sign a peace agreement, it must either change or add to the Constitution:
"The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been initialed in Washington. This means that only a signature remains. For this, Azerbaijan has a condition that Armenia either adopt a new Constitution or amend the Constitution. There should be no claims to Azerbaijani lands there. Now it is interesting which legal path the Armenian Prime Minister will choose. Because if they have to adopt a new Constitution, they will have to hold a referendum for it. However, sometimes changes can be made without a referendum. Let them choose whichever path they want. But if they want to sign a peace agreement, first of all, there must be changes to the Constitution."
According to the former minister, the final peace agreement could be signed in 2027:
"Overall, in my opinion, 2027 could be successful for the final peace agreement. I don't believe that official Yerevan, first of all, Armenia's ruling party, will retract its statements. I think there cannot be so many lies. They will want to sign a peace agreement. Considering that Armenia is facing economic difficulties in its relations with Russia, they should logically sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, and then normalize relations with Turkey. Because this is a more beneficial path for their economy."
