As Armenia heads towards its parliamentary elections on 7 June, attention is turning to the South Caucasus peace process and its future direction. Analysts say the vote could influence the region’s shift from post-conflict agreements towards longer-term cooperation and integration.
While a range of bilateral and multilateral frameworks has developed in recent years, the durability of peace is still seen as dependent on whether cooperation extends beyond diplomatic declarations into sustained economic and societal links.
Speaking to AnewZ, political scientist Farhad Huseynov described the current stage as both “a challenge and opportunity” for Azerbaijan, as efforts continue to shape what he termed a lasting peace that goes beyond the mere absence of conflict.
He distinguished between “negative peace” - defined as the absence of active conflict - and “positive peace”, which he said requires deeper structural transformation.
According to Huseynov, economic interdependence is already contributing to this process. Expanding transit routes, trade flows and infrastructure projects, he argued, are creating a “living reality” of regional connectivity that supports the development of positive peace.
However, the analyst stressed that economic factors alone are not sufficient, noting that long-term sustainability also depends on rebuilding social and institutional ties.
“Social ties were severed and now we’re trying to rebuild them,” he said, underlining the need to restore everyday human and institutional connections.
Placing the South Caucasus in a broader historical context, Huseynov pointed to the European Union as an example of post-war integration, noting that it was created “to help Europeans live together after the devastating Second World War.”
Similar logic, he suggested, could be relevant for regional cooperation in the South Caucasus, provided political will exists among local actors.
At the institutional level, the analyst argued that existing bilateral mechanisms and negotiation formats are largely sufficient, as long as they remain focused on their core purpose of facilitating cooperation.
Looking ahead, Huseynov outlined a broader vision of an “integrated South Caucasus,” potentially evolving into a more interconnected regional model over time.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Fore...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 13 June, covering the latest developments you need to know....
As the 2026 World Cup kicked off on 11 June across North America, U.S. visa restrictions and travel policies have made it impossible for supporters, ...
Every June, roughly 13 million young people in China sit down at the same time to take the same test. They have been preparing for it, in many cases, ...
European museums are increasingly returning cultural artefacts to countries in Africa and the Middle East, as pressure grows to address the legacy of ...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 8 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s expected election victory offers continuity for the country’s peace agenda, but significant political hurdles remain. Analysts say the result strengthens Yerevan’s push towards Europe while setting the stage for further tensions with Russia.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, newly independent Armenia emerged with the promise of democracy. But in the years that followed, conflicts and political assassinations sidetracked politics in the country, until a 2018 revolution restored momentum to the promise.
SpaceX has made history with the largest initial public offering ever in the United States, pricing its shares at $135 each and achieving a market valuation of $1.77 trillion.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Uzbekistan will launch a new digital financial platform from 1 July aimed at simplifying access to finance for entrepreneurs, as part of broader efforts to support small businesses, encourage innovation and accelerate private sector development.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
Iran said no final decision has been made on a proposed agreement with Washington, despite suggestions from U.S. President Donald Trump that a deal could soon be signed in a European capital.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment