The OSCE Minsk Group, long seen as a relic of the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, is on the verge of disappearing from the international diplomatic landscape. Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, speaking at a special Cabinet meeting on August 26 dedicated to President Ilham Aliyev’s recent visit to Washington, announced that a draft decision to terminate the Minsk Group and its auxiliary structures has already been circulated among OSCE member states.
The proposed resolution is expected to be adopted on September 1, marking a historic shift in the region’s diplomatic architecture. Bayramov emphasized that member states have been urged to support the necessary procedures for its formal approval.
Why This Matters
For nearly three decades, the Minsk Group symbolized international mediation in the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict. However, after the 44-day war in 2020 and Azerbaijan’s restoration of its territorial integrity, the group became largely irrelevant.
Long-standing demand fulfilled: The dissolution was one of Azerbaijan’s key conditions in the post-war negotiation agenda.
End of ambiguity: As President Aliyev stated in a recent interview with Al Arabiya, “If they insisted on keeping it, it would mean they still have territorial claims to Karabakh.”
New realities recognized: With both sides officially acknowledging each other’s borders under the Washington framework, the Minsk Group has no legal or political basis to exist.
Expert Opinion
Speaking to Oxu.Az, MP Nigar Mammadova called this step a diplomatic victory for Azerbaijan:
“Formally closing the Minsk Group sends a clear message: the conflict is over. This move will strengthen Azerbaijan’s position on international platforms and pave the way for a sustainable peace architecture in the region.”
What Comes Next?
On September 1, OSCE is expected to officially endorse the group’s termination.
The decision will symbolize the end of a 30-year mediation process that failed to prevent occupation or deliver peace.
Analysts predict this will open a new page for regional cooperation, aligning with transport corridor initiatives and broader post-conflict reconstruction.
