(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 7. President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
agreed to instruct Ministers of Foreign Affairs to work on the
preparation of a future peace treaty, statement of President of
European Council Charles Michel said, Trend reports.
Michel made a statement following a trilateral meeting with
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister
Nikol Pashinyan on April 6.
'The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, hosted
the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, for a
continuation of their discussions on the situation in the South
Caucasus region and the development of EU relations with both
countries.
President Michel reiterated the EU's commitment to deepen its
cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan to work closely in
overcoming tensions and promote a South Caucasus that is secure,
stable, peaceful and prosperous for the benefit of all people
living in the region.
The leaders took stock of developments since their last meeting
in Brussels in December 2021 and their videoconference, together
with President Macron, in February 2022. They reviewed progress on
the implementation of undertaken commitments. They discussed the
recent reported tensions and reiterated the necessity of adhering
fully to the provisions of the 9/10 November 2020 trilateral
statement. They welcomed the meeting of senior representatives from
Armenia and Azerbaijan on 30 March 2022 under EU auspices in
Brussels and agreed on the necessity to continue this engagement to
ensure adequate follow-up to agreements reached at leaders'
level.
President Michel emphasised the importance of humanitarian
gestures to promote confidence and peaceful coexistence. He
stressed the need for the full and speedy resolution of all
outstanding humanitarian issues, including comprehensively
addressing the issue of missing persons, and stated that the EU is
ready to support this endeavour. The EU will likewise continue to
support confidence building measures between Azerbaijan and Armenia
as well as humanitarian de-mining efforts, including by continuing
to provide expert advice and stepping up financial assistance,
rehabilitation and reconstruction.
President Michel noted both President Aliyev's and Prime
Minister Pashinyan's stated desire to move rapidly towards a peace
agreement between their countries. To this end, it was agreed to
instruct Ministers of Foreign Affairs to work on the preparation of
a future peace treaty, which would address all necessary
issues.
The delimitation and demarcation of their bilateral border will
be essential; to this end, in line with the Sochi Statement of 26
November 2021, it was also agreed to convene a Joint Border
Commission by the end of April. The mandate of the Joint Border
Commission will be to:
delimit the bilateral border between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
and
ensure a stable security situation along, and in the vicinity of,
the borderline.
President Michel also stressed that ensuring the appropriate
distancing of forces is an essential element of incident prevention
and tensions reduction. President Michel reaffirmed the EU's
readiness to provide advice and support.
The leaders also discussed the restoration of
communications/connectivity infrastructure between Armenia and
Azerbaijan in particular and in the South Caucasus more broadly.
President Michel welcomed the steps towards the restoration of
railway lines, while encouraging Armenia and Azerbaijan to also
find effective solutions for the restoration of road links. The EU
is ready to support the development of connectivity links,
including in line with its Economic and Investment Plan and by
utilising the proposed economic advisory forum to identify common
projects.
The leaders agreed to follow-up on outcomes of their meeting and
to stay engaged,' said the statement.
Tags:
- EU
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
- Charles Michel
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