The EU hopes that Baku will positively accept Pashinyan's "message" on recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan

Baku/14.06.23/Turan:   The European Parliament is not planning to apply strong pressure on Baku, according to Josep Borrel, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. During a discussion in the European Parliament on the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin corridor, Borrel stated that the European Union does not intend to use forceful measures to compel Azerbaijan to make decisions. This information was reported by Armenian media.

Borrel also mentioned the role of the EU civilian mission stationed in Armenia along the border with Azerbaijan, highlighting that Azerbaijan has not allowed the deployment of a similar mission along its own border. The EU representatives' mission operates within Armenian territory, observing events at the border. Borrel noted that the international community and the EU have called on Azerbaijan to allow observers to enter the Lachin corridor and stay at the checkpoint there.

The installation of a border checkpoint in Lachin, Azerbaijan, was criticized by Borrel due to the difficulties it poses for Armenians in Karabakh. However, he emphasized that the EU mission in Armenia cannot seek the closure of the checkpoint and that a diplomatic solution is the only viable option.

Since February 2023, a two-year EU civil mission has been active in Armenian border regions with 100 personnel, including approximately 50 unarmed observers. This mission has faced criticism in Yerevan, with Armenian politicians claiming that European observers provide data on the location of Armenian armed forces to Baku.

Responding to a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from France, Francois-Xavier Bellamy, who criticized the EU's perceived inaction in resolving the situation, Borrel mentioned the recent meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moldova, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Borrel also noted that another such meeting is expected in July, stating that the EU is doing everything possible to address the issue. He emphasized that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have expressed their willingness to continue negotiations and recognize each other's territorial integrity.

Furthermore, the EU hopes that the Azerbaijani government will positively perceive the "message" of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan and expressed a commitment to the rights and security issues of its people. Borrel highlighted that during the meeting in Moldova, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan acknowledged each other's territorial integrity, with Armenia recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. He noted that Pashinyan was the first Armenian leader to make such a statement.