Belgium calls on Azerbaijan to publicly recognize Armenia’s territorial integrity

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib has called on the Azerbaijani government to publicly recognize Armenia’s territorial integrity.

“Our stance is the same both in Yerevan and Baku,” Hadja Lahbib said at a press conference in Yerevan when asked what message she will convey to the Azeri authorities during her upcoming Baku trip.

“What matters most for us is to overcome this deadlock, in order for the humanitarian situation to improve and the living conditions for the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh to improve. This is part of the ceasefire agreement, and we call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to return to negotiations, be it in Washington or anywhere else. We’ve welcomed the Armenian Prime Minister’s statement on publicly recognizing Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and we call on the Azerbaijani authorities to do the same,” she said.

“There’s no lack of highest-level negotiations, there’s a lack of implementing them on the ground actually. That’s why during our one-on-one meeting we emphasized the need for the presence of experts, commissions, who will be able to end the animosity, will give the chance for real reconciliation and trust between the two peoples so that the two peoples living on both sides of the border get the opportunity to live in peace. As an active member of the EU, and also the next EU Council president, we will strengthen and intensify our participation in all these processes, including through our embassy which we will have in Yerevan,” the Belgian FM added.