OSCE Lisbon Summit: Armenia Isolated Over Principles

At the OSCE Lisbon Summit, Armenia found itself diplomatically isolated after refusing to accept a statement affirming Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, with 53 of 54 member states supporting the principles.

The Three Principles

Proposed OSCE principles:

Territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan
Legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh through self-determination
Security guarantees for all populations

Armenian Objection

Armenia rejected because:

Territorial integrity mentioned first
Seemed to predetermine outcome
Self-determination subordinated
Karabakh not mentioned as party

Diplomatic Isolation

53 states supported statement
Only Armenia objected
Chairman’s statement issued
Armenia appeared intransigent

Azerbaijan’s Victory

International law affirmed
Territorial integrity prioritized
Diplomatic momentum gained
Armenia isolated

Statement Impact

Positive:

Clarified international position
Legal framework strengthened
Pressure on Armenia

Negative:

Armenia hardened stance
Compromise more difficult
Positions entrenched

Russian Role

Supported statement
Surprised Armenia
Balanced approach
Own interests pursued

Long-term Consequences

Lisbon Summit:

Set diplomatic pattern
Legal vs. political arguments
International law vs. self-determination
Deadlock reinforced

Armenia’s Response

Claimed moral high ground
Emphasized self-determination
Rejected “imposed solutions”
Continued current policies