At the ministry's year-end press conference on December 28, Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, said that the attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran this year created tension in relations. He said that the pressure eased as a result of later contacts. According to the minister, relations between Azerbaijan and several European countries have had special dynamics this year.

"There are concrete reasons for the closure of the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran," he noted. According to Bayramov, it is about attack and security. "There was a serious risk to people's lives and security. So, this issue is constantly discussed with the Iranian side. We expect that the person who committed this crime should be punished, and the security of our embassy should be fully guaranteed. A decision will be made depending on the results. If there is a positive solution, our embassy will be reopened," he added.

Moreover, Bayramov said that in late 2023, certain positive results were achieved thanks to direct contacts with Armenia. He noted that any positive progress can positively affect the overall process. "We are talking about the peace process with Armenia, but the environment is very important here. In this sense, the development that took place in December can be considered a serious confidence-building measure. This agreement was reached between two countries, and no third country was involved. This is an important process. The peace agenda includes several important processes," he noted. The minister added that the meeting of the border delimitation commissions in November at the border was a positive event: "It is difficult to say what results will be achieved in 2024. However, we are optimistic about the process. We will be ready to take steps based on our legitimate interests and international law."

"We could not get any reaction from Armenia regarding the peace proposals until November. Armenia also confirmed this. Physical meetings were also held this year. But there has been stagnation in recent months. We are hopeful about resuming meetings in 2024," Bayramov emphasized.

"The discussions about eight villages under the occupation of Armenia are underway, and the official Yerevan has certain claims regarding this issue. We are talking about specific settlements. There is no doubt to whom these settlements belong. Our position is fair," he said. The minister emphasized that the delimitation process is a rather specific and technical issue: "The border issue should be resolved as part of the delimitation process. Azerbaijan is interested in finding a solution to the peace issue as soon as possible, but the issue of delimitation may take longer."

"Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis were massively resettled from Armenia, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister," he added. According to the minister, the Azerbaijanis hope to return to the homeland of their ancestors. "However, Armenia's position is regrettable and surprising. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regards the return of Azerbaijanis to Western Azerbaijan as a threat to the national security of Armenia. This approach is incompatible with Armenia's position on the peace treaty," the minister noted.

"We can meet in a neutral third country or at the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan," Bayramov added. According to him, the State Commission on the delimitation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia already had two meetings at the border: "The foreign ministers and delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan can meet at the state border as long as they do not create any sensitivity. Such a proposal was voiced by us. As for the prospect of holding such meetings in Azerbaijan and Armenia when the time is right, why not? I think that we will see that sooner or later." Bayramov emphasized that when sensitive topics are discussed, the issue's history is considered in the context of Armenia-Azerbaijan: "At such a moment, it is difficult to achieve a result here, but it is much easier to undermine the process. Therefore, negative rhetoric in this context is harmful. I think that the Armenian side, at least if they want to achieve the positive development they expressed in words, should control it. Along with the rhetoric, the inconsistency also hurts the issue. Unfortunately, we often witness a change of position. However, optimistic messages have been heard recently. Let's assume it will continue." He said there is a difference of opinion between the parties: "But there is a decrease in the number of items with serious disagreements. This is also shown by the latest package of proposals we received from Armenia. It is difficult to say how close we are to peace. If there is a serious political will for peace, it can be achieved in a short time. Otherwise, the process will continue for a long time."