"Zangezur Corridor" does not presuppose extraterritoriality – Toivo Klaar

Baku/20.11.23/Turan: EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Toivo Klaar does not consider the term "Zangezur Corridor" to presuppose extraterritoriality, as the Armenian side presents it.

In an interview with the "Armenpress" agency, he recalled that in May 2023, President Aliyev said in Moscow at a meeting with Pashinyan and Putin that the corridor does not imply extraterritoriality. We are talking about a transport corridor. There are also transport corridors in Europe and they also do not assume extraterritoriality, Klaar noted.

It is obvious that any road passing through the territory of Armenia is controlled by Yerevan, and the road through Azerbaijan is controlled by Baku. "In this case, Azerbaijan wants to have a guarantee that Azerbaijani citizens and cargo passing through the territory of Armenia will be safe. This is completely logical and normal. But how it will be in practice is the responsibility of the Armenian authorities," Klaar said.

He also spoke positively about the idea of "Peaceful crossroad" proposed by Armenia. "Our vision of the peaceful South Caucasus is that these transport links will be opened again, there will be trade, there will be people traveling across borders," he said.

When it comes to the refugees from Karabakh, Klaar called it important to return them back and create conditions for their safety. "But, of course, no one can be forced to return if people don't want it. If there are those who wish to return, then every effort should be made to provide them with conditions that will allow the majority of these people to make a decision to return," Klaar stressed.

As for the peace treaty, the EU Special Representative said that it is important to sign a final peace agreement and fulfill its conditions. "It is also very important for me to ensure the distance between the forces along the border, the real sense of security that will be given to residents along the border, and on a broader scale."

"Rhetoric, of course, will also be important for all interested parties. After more than 30 years of conflict, we are talking not only about the rhetoric of Azerbaijan, but Armenia as well. There were statements by different actors, and in different contexts. The whole context should be changed from the point of view of ensuring a real feeling among the population of Armenia and Azerbaijan that we are really in another world now, in a situation where the South Caucasus can really fulfill its role as a crossroads, a crossroads of the peace."

Add that Klaar welcomed Armenia's interest in expanding relations with the European Union and Yerevan's support within the framework of the European Peace Foundation. "We want to have a strong, self-confident Armenia, which will be a good partner for the European Union and an equally good partner for its neighbors, including Azerbaijan," Toivo Klaar said. -0-