EU welcomes progress in Azerbaijan-Armenia normalisation

The European Union has welcomed what it described as significant progress in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the past year, while urging the two sides to complete the remaining steps towards a peace agreement.

Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS), said the lifting of trade and transit restrictions, the release of detainees and increased contacts between Azerbaijani and Armenian representatives were among the key developments since the draft peace agreement was initialled in Washington on August 8, 2025, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

She said the initialling of the agreement and the signing of a joint declaration on the peace process had marked important steps towards the full normalisation of relations between the two countries.

According to Hipper, the progress achieved since then had brought benefits to both Azerbaijan and Armenia, including through the expansion of contacts under the “Peace Bridge” initiative.

The EU nevertheless believes that the agreements already reached should continue to be implemented, with the peace treaty ultimately signed and ratified, Hipper said.

Brussels also supports further practical measures to advance normalisation, including greater cooperation in connectivity, trade and energy, she added.

Hipper said continued work on the delimitation and demarcation of the border, humanitarian issues and reconciliation between the two societies would also remain important.

She said the EU was prepared to provide further support and expertise in these areas.

The peace agreement was initialled at a Washington summit on 8 August 2025 attended by US President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

By Aghakazim Guliyev