Azerbaijan updates Nordic-Baltic states on Armenia normalization process, regional stability

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalcin Rafiyev engaged in a pivotal meeting with political directors from the Nordic and Baltic states (NB8)—comprising Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania— focusing on avenues for enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The discussions highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue, enhanced cooperation with the EU, and key developments in the normalization process with Armenia, including reconstruction and regional security efforts, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening Azerbaijan’s partnership with the European Union, with particular focus on the NB8 countries. Participants exchanged views on future development prospects spanning key sectors such as energy security, trade, transport, communications, digital innovation, and cybersecurity. Azerbaijan’s pivotal geostrategic position and its active engagement within multilateral platforms were recognized as instrumental factors that could enrich the cooperative agenda between Azerbaijan, the EU, and the Nordic-Baltic region.

Deputy Minister Rafiyev provided a detailed briefing on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, emphasizing ongoing efforts in the post-conflict landscape. He outlined extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction initiatives underway in the territories liberated during the recent conflict, including large-scale infrastructure projects and the facilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning to their ancestral homes. Additionally, Rafiyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s ongoing mine clearance operations to mitigate the security risks posed by unexploded ordnance.

The dialogue further covered a range of bilateral and regional issues of shared interest, reinforcing the commitment of Azerbaijan and the NB8 states to deepen cooperation across multiple dimensions. 

By Vafa Guliyeva