(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Details added (first version posted at
17:03)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 12. The
EU-Azerbaijan negotiations on a new bilateral agreement continue,
and the next round of talks will take place on December 12,
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at the
ministerial meeting of the EU's Eastern Partnership, trend reports.
'First of all, I'd like to express my gratitude for
organizing today's meeting at the ministerial level. This meeting
is a great opportunity for an open and sincere exchange of views on
current and future activities of the Eastern Partnership,' said the
foreign minister.
He noted that the Eastern Partnership is based on the
common responsibility of all involved parties.
'This fact should continue our work on the further
development of the considered initiative. Azerbaijan considers the
Eastern Partnership as a key support mechanism for the development
of bilateral relations with the European Union, based on mutual
respect, equal partnership, common interests, and benefits. The EU
is our largest trade and investment partner,' said Bayramov.
'The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the EU
and Azerbaijan in July 2022 is of great importance for gas
transportation in stable and favorable conditions, as well as the
potential export of green energy to Europe. We're working with our
partners to export green energy from Azerbaijan to Europe and
expect a significant step in this regard in the coming days,' added
the minister.
According to him, Azerbaijan and the EU cooperate on
implementing the EU's Economic and Investment Plan in Azerbaijan,
which is a good example of project-oriented collaboration. The
first meeting of the Joint High-Level Working Group was held in
Baku last week. The minister talked about the great economic and
investment potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport
Route and a growth of 70 percent in the transit flow through
Azerbaijan in 2022.
Furthermore, Bayramov emphasized that the transport hub in
Azerbaijan's liberated areas, including the Zangazur corridor, will
make a contribution to regional peace and stability, as well as to
the development of regional trade. Azerbaijan began large-scale
reconstruction and reintegration work in the post-Karabakh conflict
period. A total of $1.8 billion has been allocated from the 2023
state budget in this regard. This year, the first residents
returned to the newly rebuilt Aghali village as part of the
practical beginning of the 'Great Return' program.
The official stressed that Azerbaijan intends to integrate the
Armenian population living in liberated territories into its
society, guaranteeing them the same rights and freedoms as all
citizens of Azerbaijan. The Constitution of Azerbaijan provides a
crucial legal framework in this respect. Enhancing engagements
between the Azerbaijani government and local ethnic Armenians is
aimed at ensuring peaceful coexistence.
As he noted, Armenia-planted landmines and other explosives in
the Azerbaijani territory impede the rebuilding work carried out in
the post-conflict period. Azerbaijan highly appreciates the EU's
humanitarian assistance in de-mining activities. Meantime,
international solidarity is of utmost significance to combat this
life-threatening problem. After the signing of the trilateral
statement dated November 10, 2020, 268 Azerbaijanis suffered from
landmine explosions, out of whom, 45 people died, and 223 were
injured. Among the victims were children, teenagers, and one woman.
Moreover, three media representatives were also among the landmine
victims.
'Armenia refuses to provide hard data on the minefields, thus
ignoring the growing human losses. The country continues its
landmine-planting policy against Azerbaijan. Since August 2022,
Armenia-made 2,728 anti-personnel mines have been discovered on the
Azerbaijani lands. The area set with Armenia-made mines has already
been inspected by the Russian peacekeepers' command and the
Russia-Türkiye Monitoring Center, as well as the military attachés
accredited to Azerbaijan. Planting landmines, which is considered a
war crime, is detrimental to peace efforts after 30 years of
conflict. The transfer of explosive mines to Azerbaijan is an abuse
of the Lachin corridor, intended for humanitarian purposes,'
Bayramov added.