“I believe that Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey are synchronizing their relations.”
Modern.az reports that Zaur Shiriyev, an Azerbaijani political scientist and researcher on Russia and Eurasia at the Carnegie Endowment's Berlin Research Center, stated this at the “Orbeli 2025” international forum on November 4.
He recalled that discussions are ongoing between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as between Azerbaijan and Turkey, and suggested that these be considered in a "troika" format.
"This is a parallel process, so I would not use the phrase "Azerbaijani pressure" in the context of Turkey-Azerbaijan relations. There is no such rhetoric in the relations between the two countries," Shiriyev noted.
He assured that Ankara supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and eagerly awaits the signing of a peace treaty. According to Shiriyev, Azerbaijan's decision to lift the blockade against Central Asian cargo shipments destined for Armenia will improve discussions between Armenia and Turkey, which will also consider practical steps.
"Regarding the peace agreement, we must change our perspective on it. We must avoid maximalist positions and refrain from creating exaggerated or diminished expectations. We must be realistic. Even if we don't love all our neighbors in daily life, we turn to them for help and support them. A change in mindset is needed," Shiriyev added.
He believes that mutual visits can contribute to the normalization of relations between Armenian and Azerbaijani societies, and expert groups can help their governments create a roadmap for the future, better understand public opinion, and answer questions.
"In turn, journalists can normalize rhetoric in the media spaces of the two countries. Governments do not control everything, and societies have their own opinions. This also applies to Azerbaijan, where the peace process with Armenia is evaluated both positively and negatively. The conflict has a history, people have been traumatized, memories are vivid, and we cannot forget it. Therefore, people can also make negative evaluations," Z. Shiriyev noted.
Z. Shiriyev assured that the Azerbaijani government's vision for peace entails respect for international law, mutual respect for the inviolability of each other's borders, and the absence of war.
"This is the position of the Azerbaijani authorities, so there is no need to present the opinions of individuals in Armenia or Azerbaijan as the positions of the states," Shiriyev added.
He praised the policy of the Armenian authorities, stating that it will take a long time for the agenda to be fully focused on peace in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"The peace agreement is only the first step. The same applies to the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border. This should not be the ultimate goal; connections between societies need to be established," the Azerbaijani expert emphasized
