Armenian and Azerbaijani officials agreed on a peace deal to end nearly 40 years of conflict between the South Caucasus countries, a sudden breakthrough in a fitful and often bitter peace process.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on Wednesday for the country to change its constitution, a move demanded by Azerbaijan that could facilitate a peace treaty between the longtime rivals.
Armenia's government on Thursday gave approval to a bill that calls for the country, once part of the Soviet Union, to launch a bid to join the European Union.
Armenia aims to sign a peace deal with Azerbaijan within next four weeks, said Armenia's president, easing South Caucasus tensions, even as Baku has signalled that the process is stalled.
President Vladimir Putin has agreed to withdraw Russian forces and border guards from various parts of Armenia at Yerevan's request, Putin's spokesman was cited as saying on Thursday
The exchange involved the release by Azerbaijan of 32 Armenians mostly captured in late 2020. In return, Armenia handed over two Azerbaijani soldiers held since April 2023.
