But hurdles remain. Azerbaijan also said Armenia’s constitution must “eliminate the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” as a prerequisite to allow for the signing of the peace treaty.

Armenia and The Azerbaijan Republic have reached an agreement on a peace treaty, marking a significant step toward ending nearly four decades of conflict between the two former Soviet republics, officials from both countries announced on Thursday.

Armenia and Azerbaijan will not deploy third-country forces along their border after the two sides sign a peace agreement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday.