Deputy FM calls Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Tirana constructive

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia views the meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Tirana as constructive, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan said during a press briefing at the "Yerevan Dialogue" conference.

"According to our assessment, the meeting proceeded quite constructively. Both leaders expressed readiness to continue discussions aimed at signing a peace treaty. We believe that further talks with the Azerbaijani side could take place in the near future," Kostanyan stated, as reported by Armenpress.

He emphasized the importance of continued discussions between the two leaders to advance the peace agenda.

Kostanyan also addressed Armenia’s proposal to Azerbaijan regarding the unblocking of regional transport routes, noting that Baku has yet to provide a final response on the matter.

"I believe this issue should also be on the agenda of upcoming discussions between the sides within the broader context of the peace process," he added.

Regarding Armenian prisoners held in Baku, Kostanyan reiterated that their illegal detention remains a priority on Yerevan’s agenda and is consistently raised during various meetings.

The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of signing a peace agreement swiftly, arguing that it would enable the parties to move toward regional cooperation and the development of peaceful coexistence.

Commenting on the Yerevan Dialogue conference, he noted that the number of participants has significantly increased compared to last year.

"We have about 300 participants from 40 countries. In addition, the number of high-level attendees has also grown," Kostanyan said, adding that the event has become a successful platform for dialogue and bilateral meetings among officials.

Earlier, Prime Minister Pashinyan announced that Armenia and Azerbaijan supported each other in hosting summits of the European Political Community. Armenia is set to host the event in spring 2026, while Azerbaijan will hold it in 2028. This was revealed a few days after the Tirana meeting.