The Garabagh conflict has been one of the most complicated issues in modern international law. It sits at the crossroads of fundamental ideals like territorial integrity and the right to self-determination. Ultimately, the idea of territorial integrity won out over the right to self-determination. But ever since that fact, both sides have unfortunately failed to establish a peace agreement with one-another. The parties concluded that in a highly uncertain geopolitical situation, only a sensibly negotiated bilateral agreement could provide a solid and long-term solution. The normalization process, which has been underway for over a year, seems to be now, entering its first transitional phase.

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan both visit Abu Dhabi on July 9 and will be holding talks on the round-table on 10th of July for the finalization of the peace deal. For Baku, the imperative is straightforward: any peace agreement must secure full international recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity — including definitive border demarcation and sovereignty over the Garabagh region — along with free passage along historic east–west communication corridors connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave. Yerevan, however, is under domestic pressure to obtain strong security guarantees and an international legal framework prior to conceding additional territory or opening transport communications that Armenia fears may strangle its own economic lifelines.

How, when, and where the recent ideas established themselves?

Ever since the war of 2020, consecutive trilateral and bilateral statements brokered by Russia, the European Union and the United States have outlined general roadmaps for reconciliation, confidence-building measures and return of displaced civilians.

Yet even as the guns fell silent, political mistrust hardened. In the years that followed, Russia remained the key security broker, but its position was increasingly undermined by its war in Ukraine and a decline in regional influence. This opened space for the European Union and the United States to step in—though often with........

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