EU pushes for peace in Azerbaijan-Armenia as Russia offers more talks

In Brussels, the European Union (EU) urged Azerbaijan and Armenia to avoid violence and aggressive language at the latest round of talks. Russia also wants to maintain a leading role in the peace process.

EU Council President Charles Michel hosted talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The aim was to end the hostilities that have lasted more than three decades.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the two countries have engaged in two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh. The small mountainous enclave is part of Azerbaijan but has a population of around 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

Armenia believes that the peace treaty should include special rights for them and ensure their security. However, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov rejected this demand as unnecessary and interference in the affairs of Azerbaijan.

“To make real progress, we need to take the next steps soon. First, we must put an end to violence and aggressive language to create the right environment for peaceful and normalised talks,” stated Michel.

“The local population needs reassurance, particularly concerning their rights and security,” he added.

Michel also encouraged Azerbaijan to directly engage with the Karabakh Armenians to build confidence between the parties.

The reaction of President Aliyev is unclear, as both he and Prime Minister Pashinyan left without addressing reporters. The self-proclaimed leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh claims independence but is not recognized by any country.

In addition to the EU, the United States is also pushing for a peace agreement. Russia, the traditional power broker in the region, has been preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and risks losing influence.

Russia has expressed readiness to arrange a trilateral meeting between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and itself at the foreign minister level. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that a Moscow summit could follow to sign a peace treaty.

The peace pact should guarantee the rights and security of the Armenians in Karabakh. It should also ensure the implementation of previous agreements between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, according to the ministry.

(Reported by Nailia Bagirova and Philip Blenkinsop; Written by Mark Trevelyan; Edited by Frances Kerry)