EU ready to support all efforts to achieve peace in South Caucasus, says Michel

The European Union (EU) remains ready to support all efforts to achieve stability, peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, European Council President Charles Michel wrote on his X account.

"Congratulated President Aliyev on hosting the COP29, an important moment to advance the pressing climate agenda. The EU is committed to delivering on financial solidarity and on our climate goals," Michel said following the meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, according to Caliber.Az.

"We also touched upon all aspects of bilateral relations. And following my exchange with PM Nikol Pashinyan in Budapest last week, we discussed the state of play of Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation process," he wrote.

"The EU remains ready to support all efforts for a stable, peaceful and prosperous Caucasus," Michel added.

Notably, Charles Michel arrived in Azerbaijan on November 11 morning to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The 29th session of COP29 has officially kicked off today, November 11, in Azerbaijan, marking an important international gathering. Azerbaijan was selected to host COP29 during the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11, 2023.

During two weeks, from November 11 through 22, Baku will welcome around 70,000 to 80,000 international guests, including leaders from governments, business and civil society to advance concrete solutions to the record-high global temperatures, and extreme weather events affecting people around the globe.

A key focus of COP29 will be on finance, as trillions of dollars are required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change.

The conference will also be a key moment for countries to present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, which are due by early 2025. If done right, these plans will limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and double as investment plans advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

By Khagan Isayev