EU stresses need for delimitation of Azerbaijan-Armenia border

The European Union delegation in Armenia has emphasized the need for the delimitation and demarcation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia to ensure stability in the region.

 Addressing the issue, the EU delegation clarified that the border, historically, has not been recognized as an international border but rather an administrative one.

"The basis for the border delimitation and demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, to us, is the 1991 Almaty declaration, which was signed by both countries," the EU embassy in Armenia stated in response to questions from the Zhoghovurd daily, Caliber.Az reports.

This stance from the EU has sparked interest, particularly in light of recent discussions regarding Armenia's stance on international missions in the region. The Armenian authorities had previously welcomed an EU reconnaissance and observation mission while rejecting a similar initiative from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), citing recognition of Armenia's borders by the European Union.

However, the EU's emphasis on the need for border delimitation indicates that recognition alone is not sufficient. The EU delegation highlighted that delimitation should precede discussions about security along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border.

"In this process (delimitation and demarcation), of course, it is necessary to discuss all territories, including those on which Azerbaijani units are located and which were part of the Armenian SSR, as well as those territories on which Armenian units are located and which were part of the Azerbaijani SSR," the EU office explained.

Brussels has reiterated its commitment to the principle of peaceful resolution of all disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The EU's emphasis on border delimitation underscores the importance of clearly defined borders as a foundation for stability and security in the region.