We recently witnessed a remarkable and historical milestone in one of the world’s most strategic regions. Following a peace agreement made on November 10, Lachin, the last of several districts illegally occupied by Armenia for nearly 30 years, was rightfully returned to Azerbaijan.
The cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is an opportunity to end a destructive, protracted conflict which has handicapped not just our two countries but also our region for decades.
It is a chance to bring a new beginning to the South Caucasus, with Azerbaijan and Armenia moving towards normalization and resumption of all communications as outlined by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev.
Many are skeptical that harmony between our two nations can truly be sustained following a 27-year-long conflict that was rife with violence and broken cease-fires. The world has watched Armenians intentionally destroy homes, land and religious buildings in the weeks since the agreement was signed.
Houses have burned, 300-year old trees cut down and hauled away, sacred items taken from ancient churches. Hundreds were killed in the six weeks since violence was reignited, thousands injured.
Even more disturbingly, the retreating Armenian forces placed numerous landmines in the area, which have already claimed civilian lives, and an Armenian-American political activist called for a nuclear dirty bomb attack on Azerbaijan.
The ongoing fighting and destruction has been a threat to stability and U.S. interests in this strategically important region.
Azerbaijan borders both Russia and Iran, the only country in the world to do so. It is also a crucial energy partner to Israel and supplies a portion of the European Union’s gas demand.
The Southern Gas Corridor, which is becoming fully operational this month, starts just south of Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, and runs from the Shah Deniz mega-field in the Caspian Sea to Greece and Italy. It is a critical source of European energy. Operations pass directly through areas that were attacked.
By focusing on the future of the people, our two countries — and others facing similar strife — can help ensure growth and development that will benefit our neighbors and our Western partners.
Armenia will be able to join in economic projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway that connects Azerbaijan and Turkey and a trade route that runs from Afghanistan to Turkey.
It will take time, but our region can work more collaboratively and cohesively on infrastructure and other drivers of growth to benefit beyond our borders.
Stability and prosperity depend on long-lasting peace, and a steady resolution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan can only be sustained with a peaceful partnership.
Now that the four U.N. Security Council resolutions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict have been implemented and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons have an opportunity to return to their homes, it is time to put the violence and hate behind and to focus instead on reconciling and rebuilding.
Instead of rehashing a history of grievances and using religion to deepen divisive narratives, Armenia can and should embrace a forward-looking vision of living in peace with its neighbors.
Through respect for international law, we together must promote regional integration and emphasize the dividends of peace.
