The meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan, held on May 10-11 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, has concluded.

According to the Azerbaijani side, the ministers welcomed progress on delimitation and discussed provisions of the draft "Bilateral Agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia." They agreed to continue negotiations on unresolved issues.

During the visit, the ministers met separately with Murat Nurtleu, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. Bayramov thanked Kazakhstan for hosting the talks.

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed progress on delimitation and discussions on the bilateral agreement. They agreed to continue negotiations on unresolved issues.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the importance of the next meeting in preparing a peace agreement. He highlighted progress in the delimitation process on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, noting the signing of a protocol on April 19, 2024, which initiated the process. Bayramov expressed satisfaction with the completion of demining works, clarification of geographical coordinates, and installation of border posts. He reiterated Azerbaijan's commitment to the delimitation process.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the symbolic significance of holding the meeting in the Friendship House, where the Almaty Declaration was signed in 1991. He reaffirmed mutual recognition of territorial integrity based on the declaration and emphasized Armenia's focus on peace and a peace treaty. Mirzoyan proposed unblocking regional transport communications, ensuring sovereignty over transport infrastructure, and mutual administrative and customs procedures. He emphasized the need to go beyond signing a peace agreement for further cooperation.

US Expresses Optimism for Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Amid Almaty Talks

According to Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State, the United States remains optimistic about the potential for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"We continue to believe that peace is possible. It's something that the Secretary and others continue to remain deeply engaged in. I don't have any updates on the negotiations between the parties, but we will continue to support this process," he noted during a press briefing on May 13.