Azerbaijan says 'real peace' with Armenia but wants constitutional changes

Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to Azerbaijan's president, told Reuters that while the form of constitutional changes is Armenia's internal affair, Azerbaijan requires the removal of provisions it considers territorial claims. He expressed optimism that once this issue is resolved, there will be no further obstacles to signing a final peace agreement.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has indicated a desire to hold a referendum on constitutional changes, with a draft expected by the end of the year. However, his party lacks the necessary parliamentary majority, and the stance of the opposition, which includes pro-Russian groups, remains uncertain. Hajiyev emphasized that the mere publication of a draft would not be sufficient for Azerbaijan to sign the deal.

Additionally, Azerbaijan has received "serious and positive signals" from the United States regarding the potential commencement of construction on a U.S.-backed transport corridor this autumn. This corridor, dubbed the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)," is envisioned to span 43 kilometers across Armenia, granting Azerbaijan direct access to its exclave of Nakhchivan and its ally, Turkey. This development aligns with U.S. efforts to diversify energy and trade routes away from Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Azerbaijan aims for the infrastructure to be largely completed by the end of 2026, connecting to planned infrastructure in Armenia and Turkey.