EU Council president hails breakthrough in Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process

President of the Council of the European Union Charles Michel has welcomed the breakthrough in the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process.

“Delighted to welcome a major breakthrough in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations as they issue a joint statement.  Welcome in particular release of detainees and unprecedented opening in political dialogue. Establishing and deepening bilateral dialogue between sides has been a key objective of the EU-led Brussels process: today’s progress is a key step. I now encourage the leaders to finalise the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal ASAP,” Michel wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports.

In the same vein, German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ralf Horlemann hailed the agreement between Baku and Yerevan, saying that Berlin and Brussels support this process.

“We welcome this bold step taken by Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is an important confidence-building factor towards a just and lasting peace between the two countries. Germany and the European Union supported this process and are ready to continue this,” the ambassador wrote on X.

On December 7, the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and the Office of the Armenian Prime Minister Armenia released a joint statement, saying that the two countries “share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region. Two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach a peace treaty based on respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Following the talks between the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and the Office of the Armenian Prime Minister, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between the two countries.

Moreover, an agreement has been reached to release 32 individuals of Armenian origin by Azerbaijan and two Azerbaijani servicemen by Armenia as a sign of goodwill and humanism, the statement said.

The 32 individuals destined for return to Armenia, 26 of whom were arrested during anti-terror measures in the Hadrut direction in December 2020, with the remaining six detained at the border on different occasions, have already served the majority of their sentences.

The agreement has been reached through direct negotiations between the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and the Office of the Armenian Prime Minister with no involvement of the third country.