EU hopes some understanding can be reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan during border delimitation talks

The European Union is committed to peace and stability in the South Caucasus and is investing important, high-level political capital in this process, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos told Armenpress.

According to him, the EU will also consider further support for the forcibly displaced persons of Artsakh who have settled in Armenia after the Azerbaijani attack in September.

“The European Union has made very clear its position against the use of force and in support of the human rights of Karabakh Armenians,” he said.

According to Maragos, the European Union, including through the EU Mission in Armenia and our contacts with both Yerevan and Baku, has a very clear understanding of the situation on the ground.

“We are also aware of the importance these issues have for Armenia and, more broadly, for peace and stability in the region, which is our primary aim. The EU has repeatedly called on the sides to ensure non-use of force and a distancing of forces to reduce tensions and potential escalation on the ground,” Maragos noted.

“We have also called for all issues to be addressed peacefully in the framework of meetings of border delimitation commissions and the broader normalization process. We hope that some understanding can be reached in the near future on this and other issues, including during the next meeting of Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s border commissions,” he added.

Maragos noted that the EU Mission in Armenia is tasked with observing and reporting on the situation on the ground on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, contributing to human security in conflict-affected areas and based on the above, aims to contribute to building confidence between the populations of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and, where possible, their authorities.

“All EU civilian missions report to the EU and its Member States on their observations. Since its deployment, there has been a move towards stabilization of the situation on the ground; thus, the mission’s presence is clearly delivering on its mandate,” Maragos added.