Council of Europe chief to meet Baku, Yerevan leaders in bid to revive peace efforts

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset has said he plans to hold talks with the leadership of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the coming weeks, underscoring the importance of ongoing peace negotiations between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the European Political Community summit, Berset said the Council of Europe was closely monitoring developments in the South Caucasus, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

He noted that he maintains regular contact with both sides and recently met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Antalya. 

"Peace talks between Baku and Yerevan are of high importance," Berset said.

"Next month, I plan to engage in discussions with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. We must work together to find the best solutions for sustainable stability in the region," he added.

Note that, an unofficial meeting has taken place between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the 6th European Political Community Summit in the Albanian capital of Tirana.

Earlier, Pashinyan, during a visit to Albania, stated in an interview with Azerbaijan’s Public Television (İTV) that Armenia is prepared to sign and ratify a peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

Commenting on constitutional reforms, Pashinyan said there is currently no draft for a new Constitution.

Regarding the peace process, he said Yerevan supports dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group as part of a broader agreement:

“Our proposed solution is as follows: to sign the peace agreement and simultaneously appeal to the OSCE for the dissolution of the Minsk Group. That is, in the same place, at the same time – this is very important. It would be a significant gesture towards mutual trust and stability in our region.”

Pashinyan also confirmed that the agreement includes mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty based on the Alma-Ata Declaration:

“When the peace agreement is ratified in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, it will be stated that the Republic of Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan or any of its neighbours. We are ready to make a decision to sign and ratify the peace agreement.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev