Helsinki: Finland’s English-language newspaper Daily Finland has published an article by Zaur Ahmadov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Finland, highlighting Finland’s OSCE Chairmanship coinciding with the historic peace developments in the South Caucasus.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, in his article, Ambassador Ahmadov noted that in August, a Joint Declaration was signed in Washington between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. The foreign ministers of both nations also initialled the peace treaty and requested the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to terminate the Minsk Process. This process, established in 1992 to address the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, had become obsolete after Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity in 2020.
Ambassador Ahmadov highlighted the symbolic significance of terminating the Minsk Process on September 1, 2025, during Finland’s OSCE Chairmanship. This decision strongly resonated with the principles of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, emphasizing respect for state sovereignty and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders.
The article also discusses the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a new transport corridor intended to connect mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Armenian territory. This corridor will integrate into the Middle Corridor, linking Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and China. Ahmadov noted that Finnish company Nurminen Logistics has been actively involved in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and has contributed to its commercialization. The operationalization of TRIPP is expected to expand the corridor’s capacity, offering Finnish companies faster and more secure supply chains.
Ambassador Ahmadov emphasized the potential for new models of cooperation in the South Caucasus, suggesting that the Scandinavian experience of regional integration could serve as a model. He pointed out that the Scandinavian model, which is based on trust and pragmatism, demonstrates how former rivals can transform confrontation into partnership.
The ambassador further elaborated on the significance of the peace process for Finland. He stated that it ensures stability in Europe’s eastern neighborhood, which directly impacts the daily lives of Europeans. The launch of TRIPP and the strengthening of the Middle Corridor will provide Finnish exporters with access to more diversified routes to Asia, leading to new markets and shorter, safer, and more environmentally friendly transport connections.
Ambassador Ahmadov also mentioned that the peace process requires Armenia to amend its Constitution by removing all references to territorial claims against Azerbaijan. This step towards full respect for international law aligns with European values, especially at a time when territorial integrity is under threat in various parts of the world.