Steinmeier within the South Caucasus – go to at a important time | EUROtoday

For the primary time, a German Federal President Armenia and Azerbaijan. Steinmeier’s go to comes at a important time in a long time of battle between the 2 nations.

An encouragement needs to be, the primary journey of a German Federal President to Armenia and Azerbaijan. After a long time of the battle between the 2 southern Caucasus states, there’s now “the first time the chance” that peace and stability will develop, Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Armen’s capital Jerevan mentioned after talks with the president and the nation’s head of presidency.

On March 13, Azerbaijan introduced that each nations had agreed on the textual content of a peace treaty. Armenia then agreed to signal. Steinmeier now needs to make use of his conversations to encourage either side “to go the last few meters on the way to signature and ratification”.

“No more resources for war”

Armenia’s President Wahagn Chachaturian mentioned the time of the struggle and the confrontation was over. There are not any sources for struggle within the area.

What he mentioned: Armenia misplaced in a struggle in opposition to Azerbaijan Territory in 2020 that it had occupied it within the early Nineties. The Armenia armed forces proved to be outdated and weak. The institution of a brand new protection calls for excessive investments from the economically weak nation.

Azerbaijans President Ilham Alijew makes use of the weak point of Armenia to make new calls for. Armenia went into this, for instance, gave again areas within the Armenian-Aserbaijanic border space. There had been additionally two open factors within the peace settlement.

Shots on the border

Azerbaijan didn’t make any concessions, as a substitute expressed additional claims. One of them is to alter the Armenia structure. Every reference that’s related to claims on territory outdoors the Armenian nationwide borders have to be repaid. A referendum is important in Armenia to undertake a brand new structure.

In the previous few days, the federal government in Baku claimed that Armenia is breaking the armistice on the widespread border. Armenia in the beginning, then residents of Armenian border villages reported from fires, which had been additionally heard on movies on social media.

Under stress

Prime Minister Nikol Paschinjan places large stress on Azerbaijans in his personal nation. He at all times explains that he needs to stop new struggle. But with each new concession, those that have lengthy accused him of promoting the Armenian pursuits.

Those who need to finish the trail of confrontation with neighboring nations Azerbaijan and Turkey have gotten increasingly quiet as a result of they solely see such a future for Armenia.

Common to all is the concern that Azerbaijani troops may come up in southern Armenia to construct a hall to his exclave Nachitschewan.

With your again to the wall

Paschinjan and his get together must face a parliamentary election subsequent 12 months. The election marketing campaign is already beginning.

A powerful and credible different has not but been in sight. According to at the moment, a weak outcome can be anticipated for the federal government get together with low turnout.

A approach in direction of Europe?

In this case, Paschinjan tries to enhance his nation higher. He tries to resolve Armenia from the normal allied Russia, since President Vladimir Putin doesn’t adjust to the contractually agreed alliance obligations as protecting energy, whereas it has continued to station troops within the nation and there are lots of areas of infrastructure within the arms of Russian corporations.

At the identical time, pro-European organizations have triggered tens of 1000’s of signatures to take care of the parliament of a draft legislation to confess Armenia within the EU. The draft was selected March twenty sixth in second studying.

Armenia’s President Chaschaturian reserved himself on the press convention with Steinmeier. Like Paschinjan, he mentioned in lots of public statements that it was a prolonged course of.

Steinmeier was impressed by this prudent method. The Federal President defined that the EU and Armenia would shortly determine on a partnership agenda to take the primary steps. An necessary subject for Armenia is visal liberalization. But even there, as earlier than Georgia and Moldova, Armenia has to count on a prolonged course of.

Civil mission with nice impact

The presence of an EU observer mission is way more noticeable in Armenia. Since she was stationed in Azerbaijan within the border space in Armenia in 2022 – unarmed and civilian – there have been not any main arguments. Her mandate was just lately prolonged by two years till early 2027.

Even if the peace treaty is signed and ratification, Armenia needs to maintain the EU mission within the nation, then with new duties and not within the border space with Azerbaijan.

Before his onward journey to Azerbaijan, Steinmeier appealed to either side “to end the long way to this peace treaty”. This may contribute to stability in your entire area. It can also be a prerequisite for the event of transport connections between Asia and Europe by the South Caucasus, which have gotten more and more necessary in view of the crises in different areas.