Kos: Signs of progress suggest Armenia-Azerbaijan peace "within reach"

The European Union’s Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, expressed optimism about the prospects for achieving a final peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Speaking to Armenian media, cited by Caliber.Az, Kos said she had recently visited Baku and met with the President of Azerbaijan, as well as with Armenia’s President and Prime Minister in Yerevan. 

“I received very positive signals from both countries. So yes, I believe. I believe in the possibility of peace, and, you know, what is happening now is already a positive development,” she said.

Kos highlighted that reciprocal visits by Armenian and Azerbaijani experts, which took place recently, were previously unimaginable, indicating progress in bilateral engagement.

She also emphasised the important role of Türkiye in facilitating a final peace deal. “Tomorrow I will meet with the Turkish Foreign Minister. We are closely monitoring developments in the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Observing from the outside, one might doubt the reality of their intentions. I feel that they are genuine, since the United States is also involved,” Kos explained.

The commissioner stressed that the peace process goes beyond the two nations themselves. “This is about peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is much more than just peace between two countries; it is about regional peace. That is why I am very positive,” she said.

Kos acknowledged that while the peace agreement has yet to be formally signed, the European Union and other stakeholders are fully committed to supporting it. “In my view, yes, this peace agreement still needs to be signed, but all of us, including the European Union, must do everything possible to ensure that your country (Armenia) and Azerbaijan can live in peace. That is what we are working on and what we hope for,” she concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova