In a landmark appearance, the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan convened at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday for their first joint public engagement since signing a peace agreement intended to end three decades of conflict. The meeting took place alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who offered a contrasting assessment of the broader geopolitical landscape.
A New Era for the South Caucasus?
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev characterized the peace agreement as a positive development for all parties involved, stating it “sets an example of how countries on very deep hostile terms can now transform into cooperation.” He further asserted that the agreement restored “justice, international law, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity,” and ultimately, “peace.” Aliyev believes the two nations are now positioned to influence the future of “Eurasia.”
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan echoed Aliyev’s sentiments, expressing gratitude to both his Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Aliyev for demonstrating the necessary political will to achieve peace. He indicated a broad agreement with Aliyev’s assessment, stating he had “little to add” to the Azerbaijani president’s remarks. Khachaturyan highlighted a tangible sign of the changing relationship: residents of Yerevan are now able to purchase fuel from Azerbaijan.
Geopolitical Concerns Raised
While the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue offered a note of optimism, Serbian President Vučić presented a more cautious outlook. He described the current state of international relations as “the divorce between Europe and the United States,” warning that this division poses a significant threat to smaller nations.
Vučić argued that in a world dominated by larger powers, smaller countries “must come together” to protect their interests. He specifically called for strengthened cooperation within the region, including between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He cautioned that the tensions between the US and Europe are not a temporary issue and that “at the end we will all have to pay the price,” particularly impacting European companies.
The panel discussion took place at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and a full recording of the event is available to view.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary focus of the joint appearance?
The primary focus was to publicly demonstrate the progress made in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan following 30 years of conflict, and to highlight the potential for future cooperation.
What concerns did the Serbian President raise?
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed concern over growing tensions between the United States and Europe, warning that this “divorce” could negatively impact smaller nations and European businesses.
What specific example of changing relations was cited?
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan noted that residents of Yerevan can now purchase fuel from Azerbaijan, a development that would have been unthinkable in the past.
As Armenia and Azerbaijan navigate this new era of peace, what role will external geopolitical forces play in sustaining the fragile progress made thus far?
