Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will meet Thursday in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital, in a major diplomatic move. The meeting is seen as a further development in the ongoing, shaky peace talks between the two South Caucasus rivals.
Following decades of animosity, particularly over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Azerbaijani presidential office announced the scheduled talks on Wednesday, presenting them as part of larger efforts to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Although there have been multiple escalations of the conflict over the years, including a full-scale war in 2020, both nations have demonstrated a renewed interest in coming to a long-term agreement.
In a brief statement shared on Telegram, Armenia also confirmed the planned meeting. “Prime Minister Pashinyan is currently on a working visit to the UAE, where he is expected to discuss regional peace and cooperation issues with President Aliyev,” the announcement said.
Pashinyan will meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan later on Thursday in addition to the bilateral discussions. Bilateral relations between Armenia and the Gulf state, as well as prospects for diplomatic and economic cooperation, are anticipated to be discussed at that meeting.
The international community, which has repeatedly urged both sides to maintain dialogue and prevent a return to armed conflict, is closely monitoring this most recent interaction between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The cautious measures both governments have taken to ensure lasting peace are continued with Thursday’s meeting in Abu Dhabi, even though there are still many challenges in the way of reconciliation.
The UAE’ participation in the negotiations as host country highlights both its increasing influence in global diplomacy and its desire to promote stability in strategically important areas such as the South Caucasus. As both leaders get ready for their in-person meeting, observers are optimistic that this interaction will help bridge the gap and open the door for future agreements that are more specific.
