On August 11, both Azerbaijan and Armenia published a draft version of a comprehensive peace treaty, outlining a framework for future relations. The document was concluded in Azerbaijani, Armenian, and English, with the English text taking precedence in case of any discrepancies.

Key Provisions of the Draft Treaty

The draft treaty expresses the parties' intent to establish good-neighborly relations based on the UN Charter, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, and the 1991 Almaty Declaration. It affirms that the borders of the former Soviet republics are now the international borders of the two independent states. Both sides pledge to respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, and to make no territorial claims against the other, either now or in the future.

The agreement explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force, interference in each other's internal affairs, and allowing their territories to be used by third parties for hostile actions. Both nations commit to establishing diplomatic relations and beginning the process of border delimitation and demarcation through their respective commissions. Pending the completion of this process, they agree not to deploy third-party forces along the border and will implement confidence-building measures.

Additionally, the parties pledge to combat intolerance, racial hatred, separatism, and terrorism. They will also cooperate on resolving cases of missing persons from past conflicts, including by exchanging information and returning remains. The treaty states that it does not affect existing international obligations, but no prior commitment may undermine the new agreement. All interstate claims are to be withdrawn within one month of the treaty taking effect, which will occur after both sides exchange instruments confirming the completion of their domestic ratification procedures.

Ministerial Phone Conversation

Following the publication of the draft, a telephone conversation took place on August 12 between Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, and Ararat Mirzoyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The ministers discussed the implementation of the Joint Declaration from the recent Washington Summit and other confidence-building measures. They also exchanged views on regional issues and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing a direct dialogue.