English Learning Content: Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Talks

Dialogue

Current Situation

The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks are ongoing efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict between the two South Caucasus nations, primarily centered around the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Decades of tension and sporadic armed conflict have led to significant loss of life and displacement. Mediated by various international actors, including the European Union, the United States, and Russia, the talks aim to establish a lasting peace treaty. Key issues on the agenda include border delimitation, the status of enclaves, the opening of communication routes (often referred to as “corridors”), and the return of displaced persons. Despite numerous rounds of negotiations and optimistic statements, a comprehensive agreement has yet to be reached, with various sticking points continuing to challenge the diplomatic process.

Key Phrases

• Peace talks: Ongoing discussions between conflicting parties aimed at resolving disputes and establishing peace.
  Example: The two nations have resumed peace talks after a year-long hiatus.
• Sticky issues: Difficult or sensitive problems that are challenging to resolve.
  Example: Child custody is often one of the sticky issues in a divorce.
• Come to an agreement: To reach a mutual decision, settlement, or understanding after discussion.
  Example: After hours of negotiation, they finally came to an agreement on the contract terms.
• Don’t jinx it!: An idiom used to ask someone not to say anything that might cause a desired positive outcome not to happen, often out of superstition.
  Example: “I think I’m going to get the promotion.” “Shh, don’t jinx it!”
• A breakthrough: A sudden, important discovery or success, especially one that removes an obstacle.
  Example: Scientists are hoping for a breakthrough in cancer research.

Grammar Points

• Phrasal Verbs with “On”:
  • Go on: To happen; to continue.
    Example from dialogue: “It feels like it’s been going on forever!”
    Another example: “What’s going on here?” (What’s happening?)
  • Hold on: To wait for a short time; to pause.
    Example from dialogue: “…one side is like, ‘Hold on a minute, what about our sovereignty?’”
    Another example: “Please hold on, I’ll be with you in a moment.”
• Idiomatic Expressions (Informal Language):
  • All that jazz: And all the related things; and so on; etc. (Used informally to refer to things that are similar to something just mentioned).
    Example from dialogue: “Negotiating borders, enclaves, all that jazz.”
    Another example: “She likes painting, drawing, sculpture, and all that jazz.”
  • Tell me about it: Used informally to express that you understand or agree with what someone is saying, usually because you have experienced the same thing.
    Example from dialogue: “Tell me about it. It’s like when you finally decide what to order for dinner…”
    Another example: “This traffic is terrible.” “Tell me about it! I’ve been stuck here for an hour.”
  • A tad: A small amount; slightly.
    Example from dialogue: “Except the stakes are a tad higher than whether to get pizza or tacos, Bob.”
    Another example: “The soup is a tad too salty for my taste.”
• Conditional Sentences (Type 1):

  Type 1 conditionals describe real or very probable situations in the present or future. The structure is generally: If + Simple Present, Will + Base Verb. However, other modal verbs (like ‘can’, ‘may’, ‘might’, ‘should’) can also be used in the main clause.

  Example from dialogue (implied): “Maybe they’ll shake hands and everyone can finally move forward.” (Implies: If they shake hands, everyone can move forward.)
  Another example from dialogue: “My biggest worry is that they’ll agree, and then a week later, something else pops up.” (Here, “they’ll agree” acts as the conditional event).
  Classic example: “If it rains, we will stay home.”
  Using a modal: “If you study hard, you might pass the exam.”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with Key Phrases

Choose the most appropriate key phrase from the list to complete each sentence:

• peace talks, sticky issues, come to an agreement, don’t jinx it!, a breakthrough

1. The project hit some __________ early on, but we managed to sort them out.
2. The CEO hopes the new strategy will lead to __________ in sales.
3. After months of discussions, the two companies finally __________ on the merger terms.
4. I’ve been __________ closely, hoping for some good news.
5. I think I’m going to win the lottery! “Shh, __________!”

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation (Phrasal Verbs with “On”)

Rewrite the following sentences using a phrasal verb with “on” (e.g., “go on,” “hold on”).

1. The party continued until late.
2. Please wait a moment while I check.
3. What’s happening at the moment?

Exercise 3: Complete Conditional Sentences (Type 1)

Complete the following sentences, making sure they are grammatically correct Type 1 conditional sentences:

1. If the peace talks succeed, ___________________.
2. If it rains tomorrow, ____________________.
3. I will be very happy if ____________________.