EU reiterates importance of avoiding harsh rhetoric and threats to use force in Armenia-Azerbaijan talks

The EU reiterates the importance of Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiating on all outstanding matters in good faith, while avoiding harsh rhetoric and threats to use force, the lead spokesperson of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Anitta Hipper told Armenpress Brussels correspondent.

In an interview, Hipper said that the EU has been encouraging the sides to work on mutually acceptable solutions towards a stable and peaceful future for all populations in the region.

The spokesperson reiterated EU’s readiness to support the sides to achieve sustainable peace.

• President Ilham Aliyev's recent statements have not only threatened the EU monitoring mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border but also challenge the broader principles and security of the European Union. How does the EU plan to respond to such provocations, and what measures will be taken to ensure regional stability and uphold the EU's fundamental values?

The EU has consistently been calling on the sides to refrain from engaging in steps that could undermine the peace process. In particular, we have been raising the importance of avoiding harsh rhetoric and have been encouraging the sides to work on mutually acceptable solutions towards a stable and peaceful future for all populations in the region.

The EU continues its strong engagement with both sides, including its consultations on the normalisation process and last year's positive developments on their bilateral track. We very much encourage the sides to continue their exchanges and look for mutually acceptable solutions that would address their respective concerns. This message was most recently passed this week by EU Special Representative Grono during her visits to Baku and Yerevan, where she met with both leaderships. It was also reiterated by European Council President Costa in his telephone conversation with President Aliyev on Thursday, 09 January.

• Azerbaijan's continued aggression against Armenia, coupled with the displacement of the indigenous population of Nagorno-Karabakh, raises serious human rights and territorial integrity concerns. What practical actions is the EU prepared to implement to exert pressure on Azerbaijan and address these violations?

The EU has been supporting both sides in the normalisation process over the past few years, including on issues relating to displaced populations. We reiterate our call on both sides to negotiate on all outstanding matters in good faith and will remain in dialogue on these matters with both parties.

• Aliyev's remarks undermine the EU's credibility as a mediator in the South Caucasus and threaten the path of democracy chosen by Armenia. How does the EU intend to preserve its role as a fair and effective mediator, and will there be tangible consequences for Azerbaijan's actions and rhetoric?

The EU reiterates the importance of both sides negotiating on all outstanding matters in good faith, while avoiding harsh rhetoric and threats to use force.

We welcome all efforts towards achieving sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In addition to other international efforts, what is known as the "Brussels process" allowed the leaders of both sides to intensively engage in 2021-2023 on core issues. This provided a structured framework and the space needed to advance the normalisation process, which was appreciated by both sides.

The EU very much welcomes the progress achieved subsequently on the bilateral track and hopes 2025 will bring more positive outcomes, for the benefit of all populations in the region. The EU remains ready to provide additional support to the two sides.