YEREVAN Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan announced in parliament today that Armenia is ready to sign a formal peace treaty with Azerbaijan as soon as possible, potentially by the end of 2026 or in 2027. Mirzoyan firmly rejected allegations that the peace process is being intentionally delayed, asserting that a de facto peace has already been established on the ground through active cross-border trade and cargo transportation. He emphasized that the administration remains politically committed to securing the signed accord before the end of its current five-year mandate. The bilateral peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan represents a critical diplomatic effort to resolve decades of conflict in the South Caucasus following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Negotiators have faced complex hurdles regarding border demarcation, regional transport links, and mutual recognition of territorial integrity. While both nations have engaged in protracted talks to normalize relations, reaching a comprehensive and legally binding settlement requires bridging fundamental differences on key sovereignty and constitutional issues. The broader peace process between the two South Caucasus neighbors continues to hinge on critical sovereignty and legal frameworks. While Armenia has signaled its immediate readiness to begin bilateral consultations to finalize the time and place for an official signing ceremony, external diplomatic hurdles remain. Specifically, Azerbaijan maintains a public position that it will not sign any final document until Armenia alters its Constitution. Mirzoyan clarified to lawmakers that while Baku does not formally present this as a negotiation demand, they have explicitly communicated that the constitutional issue must be resolved before any agreement can be initialed and signed. Photo credit: RA Parliament