The South Caucasus is currently undergoing one of the most significant and forward-looking periods in its modern history. The complete restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty has brought an end to a long-standing conflict that claimed the lives of thousands of people and has created a new geopolitical reality in the region. Today, both at the regional and global levels, the primary objective is to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace based on the principles of international law. However, international practice has repeatedly demonstrated that peace is measured not only by agreements signed at the negotiating table and by formal political statements, but also by the domestic policies of states and the sincere contribution of international actors to this process. After the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan proposed five peace principles grounded in international law, to the Armenian side. Following, it supplied oil products to help meet Armenia’s energy needs and lifted restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia through its territory.

Unfortunately, despite Azerbaijan’s consistent efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving a lasting and sustainable peace, attempts remain in Armenia and among some of its external patrons to preserve the harmful illusions of the past, artificially sustain the remnants of the dissolved separatist regime, and reorganize them under the guise of various civil society organizations. Such activities undoubtedly inflict direct and significant damage on the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Despite repeated statements by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the end of the so-called “Karabakh movement” and the acceptance of new political realities, as well as Yerevan’s declared commitment to the swift signing of a final peace agreement, the continuing gap between official rhetoric and domestic political reality is cause for serious concern. A closer examination of behind-the-scenes developments and the domestic political agenda reveals that certain radical circles in Armenia are systematically trying to pass on separatist ideas to future generations and to transform the syndrome of defeat into an aggressive form of revanchism. The greatest threat to the post-conflict period stems not from actual military confrontations, but rather from ideological provocations carried out under the guise of civil society organizations and aimed at poisoning public consciousness.........

© Eurasia Review