Context: Madrid principle could be applied to end the hostility between Armenia and Azerbaijan
How Madrid principles can be used in the present conflict?
- Armenia and Azerbaijan are located in the main corridor of oil and gas supplies to Europe.
- The two states had a long-pending dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh’s region.
- Nagorno-Karabakh’s region is located in Azerbaijan but consists of Majority Armenian population.
- In 2007, The Minsk Group came up with the Madrid Principles as the basis for the formulation of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- Madrid principles which were drawn from the Helsinki Final Act, provides for the prohibition on the use of force, respect for territorial integrity, and recognition of the equal right to self-determination.
- The recent military confrontation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, reflects the failure of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
What are the key guidelines stated in Madrid principles?
- The Madrid Principles envisaged the demilitarisation of Nagorno-Karabakh (the Armenian majority region)
- It calls for the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces from Azerbaijan.
- It also warrants the need to deploy international peacekeeping forces to monitor the Armenian redeployment, immediately after the Peace Agreement came into force.
- It assures, “Right to return” for Internally displaced persons and refugees to their original place of residence.
What’s behind the Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes?
- The two states identified more guidelines to work towards peaceful resolutions. Accordingly, the following agreements were made:
- it was agreed that Nagorno-Karabakh’s will be provided with right to self-governance
- It will also have the right to conduct election of officials with legislative and executive powers during the interim period preceding a plebiscite.
- It is allowed to establish judicial institutions, conduct external relations in certain areas, have representation on OSCE forums relevant to bilateral matters and, crucially, be accorded representation in international organisations where statehood was not a constraint.
- However, Azerbaijan, seeing itself as the aggrieved party over the years, has resorted to violence and use of force to settle the dispute.
- Recently, The President of Azerbaijan, has asserted the country’s long-standing claim over the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, ruling out any dialogue with Armenia until the government there offered an apology.
What is the role of external players in this dispute?
- Azerbaijan is backed by Turkey, owing to the deep cultural ties between the two countries.
- Turkey was also accused by French government for sending Syrian rebel forces to fight in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
- Russia, despite having a military base and a mutual defence agreement with Armenia has so far remained as a mute spectator.
- Whereas the U.S. has not made themselves involved in this.
Armenia and Azerbaijan need to strike a practical compromise to promote their own mutual interest. For this to happen, principles outlined in the Madrid framework will serve as the starting point to endure peace between the conflicting nations.
