Your trusted source

The high-level meeting scheduled for April 5 in Brussels is aimed at strengthening Armenia-EU-US cooperation and is not directed against any third party, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan told Armenpress on Wednesday.

The interview with Ani Badalyan is provided below.

Question: The Azerbaijani side, referring to the upcoming Armenia-EU-US meeting, describes it as not inclusive, and notes it may also push Armenia to destabilize the situation in the region.

The high-level meeting of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan scheduled for April 5 in Brussels is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation and is not and could not be directed against any third party.

As for Azerbaijan's accusations of destabilizing the situation in the region and the non-constructiveness of the Armenian side in the negotiation process, let me reaffirm that Armenia is ready for the immediate signing of the peace treaty, the border delimitation, and opening of regional communications based on the principles already agreed upon with Azerbaijan. We are speaking about the following three principles:

a) Armenia and Azerbaijan mutually recognize each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. This principle was agreed upon between Armenia and Azerbaijan on October 6, 2022, in Prague, with the mediation of Emmanuel Macron, President of France, and Charles Michel, President of the EU Council,  then reiterated on May 14 and July 15, 2023, in Brussels with the mediation of Charles Michel, President of the EU Council.

b) The delimitation and demarcation process between the two countries is carried out based on the Alma-Ata Declaration. This principle was agreed upon between Armenia and Azerbaijan on October 6, 2022, in Prague, with the mediation of French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Council President Charles Michel, then reaffirmed on May 14 and July 15, 2023, in Brussels with the mediation of President of the EU Council Charles Michel. This means that instead of creating a new border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the borders that existed de jure within the USSR at the time of the adoption of the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration should be replicated on the ground. Afterwards, the territories de jure belonging to each country must be under that country's control.

c) Unblocking regional communications, respecting the sovereignty and the jurisdiction of the countries through which they pass, based on the principle of equality and reciprocity. This principle was agreed upon between Armenia and Azerbaijan on July 15, 2023, in Brussels with the mediation of President of the EU Council Charles Michel. Regarding this issue, the Republic of Armenia has expressed its willingness by developing the "Crossroads of Peace" project, which has been widely welcomed by the international community.

Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani side is delaying and undermining the peace process under various artificial pretexts, including continuously rejecting mediation proposals made by the EU and the US. Instead of complaining about inclusiveness, Azerbaijan could eventually accept the proposals to meet at the level of Foreign Ministers in Washington D.C., and at the level of heads of state in Brussels. Perhaps it would be also relevant to mention the continuous actions by Azerbaijan, the efforts towards excluding Armenia from regional projects, undermining the principle of inclusiveness in every possible way, a vivid example of which is reflected in hindering Armenia's participation in the Black Sea Submarine Cable project.

Question: The Azerbaijani side once again complained regarding the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia. What would you say in this regard?

It is important to assess the security situation under which the deployment of the EU mission was carried out. It followed the large-scale attack and occupation of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia by Azerbaijan in September 2022. Even today, around 208 square kilometers of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia is under the Azerbaijani occupation. We highly appreciate the role of the EU Monitoring Mission in the context of deterring the intentions to use force in the region and strengthening stability on the Armenia-Azerbaijan interstate border. We also welcome the decision made by the EU months ago regarding the increase in the number of the Mission’s staff. It is also appropriate to remind that at the quadrilateral meeting held in Prague on October 6, 2022, Azerbaijan itself welcomed the proposal made by the President of the EU Council and the President of France to deploy an EU Monitoring Mission not only in Armenia but also in Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan later abandoned that position.

Question: What expectations does the Armenian side have from the Armenia-US-EU high-level meeting scheduled for April 5?

The meeting provides a valuable opportunity to discuss the Armenia-US, and Armenia-EU bilateral agendas, as well as issues on the Armenia-US-EU cooperation. We anticipate having substantive discussions on the political dialogue, the development of Armenia's economic and energy capacities, as well as addressing humanitarian issues that Armenia is facing. The high-level meeting is aimed at developing and deepening our existing relations and is not connected with relations with third countries. Any allegations about it being directed against anyone else are irrelevant, baseless and fictitious.