The EU Foreign Ministry calls on Baku and Yerevan to take confidence-building steps

Baku/30.05.23/Turan: "Over the past month, the process of normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations has intensified, which is welcomed by the European Union. It is important to preserve this historical dynamic and avoid steps, including hostile rhetoric, that could jeopardize the peace process,"  the statement of the European External Action Service.

After negotiations on a peace treaty in the United States in early May, Aliyev and Pashinyan met in Brussels on May 14, and another meeting is scheduled for June 1 in Chisinau. "In Brussels, they focused on several key topics: border issues, communications, humanitarian issues, as well as the rights and security of Armenians living in the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region.

Since then, the leaders have publicly reaffirmed their unconditional commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and the corresponding territorial integrity of Armenia (29,800 km2) and Azerbaijan (86,600 km2).

We welcome the bold statement of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on this issue on May 22 and Armenia's clear readiness to work on the delimitation of the bilateral border. We also welcome the statement of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on May 25.

As work continues on these sensitive issues, it is important to take confidence-building steps, act in good faith and show leadership to reach solutions on all issues related to comprehensive normalization. Despite the complex history of the conflict and past grievances, all issues need to be resolved exclusively peacefully, through dialogue," the statement reads. ----016D----