The EU is ready to provide expertise on border delimitation and demarcation and to support confidence building, according to a press release following European Council President Charles Michel’s phone call with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and meeting with Acting PM Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia.
During these discussions, President Michel stressed the importance for the EU of stability and prosperity of the South Caucasus and of deepening relations with the two partner countries. He recalled that the full implementation of the 9 November 2020 ceasefire declaration by Azerbaijan and Armenia is essential for regional security and stability.
“The European Union also encourages both parties to cooperate, as matter of urgency, on the return of detainees and full transparency with regard to minefields, and other important humanitarian issues,” says the press release. “Addressing these immediate challenges is, however, only a first step towards a sustainable peaceful settlement. The European Council President called on both sides to engage in renewed negotiations in a constructive spirit.”
The European Union has a profound interest in the security, stability and prosperity of the South Caucasus region as an integral part of the EU's Eastern Partnership. The EU is providing almost €20 million in humanitarian assistance and will continue to be engaged.
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