Armenia’s relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan are not EU’s business – Aliyev responds to von der Leyen

The EU calls for the opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia, as well as between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but Europe has nothing to do with all this, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said, commenting on the statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, describing it as “strange”.

Von der Leyen said that the opening of Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan after 30 years can change the game, as it will bring Europe and Central Asia closer than ever.

“I was, to put it mildly, surprised when I was informed about the statement made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the summit in Uzbekistan. She spoke about opening the borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and Armenia and Turkey, in the context of developing the Middle Corridor, which they refer to as Europe’s Global Gateway. It was very strange, because this corridor already exists, and Armenia plays no role in it.

We can understand the feelings of European officials towards Armenia, but maps cannot be ignored. It is we—Georgia and Azerbaijan—who have created the infrastructure that today enables Europe to interact with Central Asia. Yet, all we hear are calls to open the borders between Turkey and Armenia, and between Azerbaijan and Armenia. What does Europe have to do with this? Armenia’s relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan are not their business. The further the EU stays away from these issues, the better for everyone,” Aliyev concluded.