Azerbaijan and Armenia are closer than ever to signing a peace treaty. Toivo Klaar

In an interview with the Azerbaijani media, the special representative of the European Union in the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, referred to the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, News reports.

He noted that he regularly visits Armenia and Azerbaijan with leaders and other officials, exchanging opinions on how to best use the opportunities to contribute to the strengthening of peace in the region, which means the EU's high-level support for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

"Although international participation in the peace talks has been more limited in recent months than in the previous two years, we are happy to record the progress made during the Armenian-Azerbaijani bilateral meetings," Klaar said.

He noted that the European Union welcomed and appreciated such positive developments as the December 7, 2023 joint statement on the COP29 and the release of prisoners, the April 19, 2024 agreement to begin border demarcation, which reaffirmed the 1991 The importance of the Declaration of Alma Ata as a basis for further border demarcation and demarcation work.

The EU special representative expressed confidence that the signing of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will have a huge impact on both countries and the entire region. It will create a completely new situation where opportunities for trade and economic interaction will automatically increase.

"It will also affect the work of the EU in the region, as it will allow the European Union to develop wider regional cooperation with the participation of all three countries of the South Caucasus," Klaar said and added.

"As has been said many times, the EU is ready to support peace in the region in all areas through various means, with a particular focus on regional connectivity and transport, depending on the arrangements between the parties."