The peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is gradually moving beyond the realm of diplomatic statements. However, the stability of peace will depend on the implementation of agreements, the resolution of humanitarian issues, the development of economic ties, and the ability of both parties to ensure the security and rights of their populations.

 

The Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), held in Strasbourg from September 28 to October 2, 2026, did not foresee a separate vote on the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agreement. Nevertheless, the topic of settlement was raised during discussions on the parliamentary elections in Armenia and their broader political context.

This is telling: regional peace impacts not only relations between Yerevan and Baku, but also internal politics, public sentiment, and the stability of democratic institutions. At the same time, international organizations can assist in strengthening legal guarantees, but they cannot replace the parties themselves in fulfilling bilateral commitments.

The Peace Process as a Factor in Domestic Politics

The PACE report on the parliamentary elections in Armenia on June 7, 2026, notes that the election campaign took place against the backdrop of discussions surrounding the peace agreement with Azerbaijan, its implementation, security issues, the so-called corridor, and national identity. These themes were intertwined with debates on European integration, economic hardships, and anti-corruption policies.

 

Speaking at the PACE session on September 28, Kimmo Kiljunen, former Assembly Rapporteur on Armenia, linked the pre-election atmosphere to geopolitical tensions, the Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation process, and the consequences of population displacement related to Nagorno-Karabakh.

This remark is essential for understanding why the peace process cannot be evaluated solely based on statements made by the leaders of the two countries. Its consequences touch upon security issues, the status of displaced persons, public trust, and political expectations.

For Armenia, the peace agreement is also tied to discussions regarding its foreign policy orientation and the prospects of European integration. For Azerbaijan, post-war settlement priorities, transport routes, and establishing the fate of missing persons remain key focus areas. These priorities do not always align, which is why sustainable peace requires not only political will, but also working mechanisms to balance interests.

From Initialing to Implementation

On August 8, 2025, in Washington, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan initialed the text of the Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations. Initialing confirmed the agreement on the text, but it is not equivalent to final signing and entry into force.

In September 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan again spoke of the necessity to develop good-neighborly relations while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations. Among practical areas, he highlighted transport links, trade, and the resolution of humanitarian issues.

On October 8, Pashinyan stated that the mission of his political party is to sign and ratify the initialed peace agreement. The following day, speaking at the summit of CIS Heads of State in Turkmenistan, he referred to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan as an established fact, while emphasizing that it must be preserved and strengthened every day.

These statements reflect the position of the Armenian leadership. However, a distinction remains between political assertions of accomplished peace and its final legal formalization. Sustainable settlement requires further agreements and their consistent execution.

Missing Persons: A Humanitarian Issue and a Test of Trust

One of the most sensitive issues remains determining the fate of persons who went missing as a result of the long-standing conflict.

On October 7, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in an address to participants of an international conference in Baku, stated the need for information regarding the fate of missing Azerbaijanis, potential burial sites, and relevant archival materials. He emphasized the importance of this work for the families of the missing and for sustainable peace.

On October 8, Pashinyan reported that he had discussed intensifying cooperation between the relevant commissions of both countries with Aliyev. The sides continue to exchange information on this matter.

Nonetheless, this humanitarian issue remains complex and politically sensitive. The families of missing persons expect reliable information, while allegations regarding the withholding of information or non-fulfillment of obligations require verification and documentary proof.

Establishing the fate of the missing could become one of the most concrete indicators of the parties' willingness to cooperate. Success here is measured not by statements, but by data exchange, identification of remains, informing families, and access to archives.

Transport and Trade: The Economic Dimension of Peace

In a speech on September 18, 2026, in Wiesbaden, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan referred to TRIPP — Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity — as one of the key outcomes of the Washington Summit of August 8, 2025. According to him, work on implementing the project is already underway.

Pashinyan stated that TRIPP envisages the restoration of railway infrastructure in Armenia, as well as the construction of highways, pipelines, and power lines. He emphasized that the project should serve not only domestic and regional needs, but also international and transit shipments, creating new transit opportunities along the East–West and North–South axes.

Documents published in January and May 2026 by Armenia and the United States outline a broader framework of potential infrastructure components: railways, roads, oil and gas pipelines, power transmission lines, and fiber-optic networks. However, specific projects and locations are to be determined in subsequent phases. Therefore, this list should be viewed as a framework of intended directions rather than evidence that construction on all listed facilities has already begun.

Separately, Pashinyan noted that, according to him, rail connections from Azerbaijan had been open to Armenia via Georgia since November 2025, and bilateral trade between the two countries had commenced. This statement refers to an existing route through a third country and should not be confused with future TRIPP infrastructure directly within Armenia.

According to the published framework documents, the project involves developing multimodal transit through Armenian territory while respecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction. The Armenian side retains state authority over border and customs control, security, and law enforcement, although specific service functions may be carried out by private operators.

The economic rationale of TRIPP lies in expanding transport capacities, trade, and access to international markets. However, the practical effect will depend on the further development of specific projects, their funding, and execution, as well as progress in institutionalizing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Role of the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is not the primary mediator in the peace treaty negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Its competence centers primarily on human rights, the rule of law, democratic institutions, and the compliance of states with their international obligations.

Thus, the significance of PACE lies not in replacing bilateral dialogue, but in supporting the principles necessary for sustainable peace: legal guarantees, protection of fundamental rights, democratic accountability, and the prevention of new violations.

A distinct aspect of European policy concerns the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. In Resolution 2663 (2026), "The silencing of critical voices in Azerbaijan", adopted on June 24, PACE expressed serious concern over restrictions on independent media, political opposition, and non-governmental organizations. The Assembly also called for the fulfillment of human rights obligations.

This resolution was adopted during the June session rather than the autumn session. It should be viewed as part of the broader context of relations between Baku and the Council of Europe, rather than a specific decision on the peace agreement.

Issues of civil liberties and interstate settlement are interconnected, but not identical. A peace treaty does not void obligations regarding human rights protection, just as criticism of human rights situations does not substitute for the need to maintain dialogue on security and humanitarian cooperation.

Peace Must Be Measured by Results

The main challenge for Armenia and Azerbaijan is to transform political agreements into sustainable mechanisms of peaceful coexistence. This entails final legal formalization, consistent execution of reached agreements, resolving missing persons cases, advancing the humanitarian agenda, and expanding transport and trade links.

 

Statements made by both sides in October show that dialogue continues, including on humanitarian matters. However, public statements alone do not prove that all disputed issues have been resolved or that agreements have yielded lasting results.

The Council of Europe can assist in reinforcing legal standards and supporting discussions on human rights and democratic governance. Ultimately, however, the outcome depends primarily on decisions made in Yerevan and Baku, and their willingness to honor mutual commitments.

For the South Caucasus, peace is not merely the absence of active hostilities or the text of an agreement. It is a system of practical arrangements that guarantee security, address humanitarian challenges, and foster the gradual restoration of trust. It is by these tangible results that we will know whether a diplomatic breakthrough will turn into a lasting peace.

 

Journalist

Marine KHARATYAN

#ARMENIA

#PACE

#AZERBAIJAN

10.10.2026 07:38