BRUSSELS: The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev, engaged in discussions aimed at resolving tensions over the contested enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The talks, held on Sunday, were described as “frank, open, and result-oriented” by EU officials, who emphasized the leaders’ shared commitment to achieving peace in the region.
The meeting was hosted by European Council President Charles Michel in Brussels. The meeting marked the fifth round of negotiations facilitated by European mediation.
Charles Michel had previously held separate discussions with Prime Minister Pashinyan on Saturday evening and President Aliyev on Sunday morning.
Following the recent positive talks in the United States regarding a peace treaty, President Michel expressed the need to maintain momentum and take decisive steps toward signing a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The talks in Brussels came amid heightened tensions on the common border between the two countries. Recent clashes resulted in casualties, with one Armenian soldier killed and two wounded by Azerbaijani forces and an Azerbaijani soldier killed along with four Armenian soldiers wounded in separate incidents.
Despite initial doubts expressed by Prime Minister Pashinyan about the prospects of reaching a peace accord with President Aliyev during the meeting, Michel announced that clear progress had been made.
The discussions focused on unblocking transport and economic links in the region, with both leaders agreeing to resume bilateral meetings on border issues. Additionally, they reached an understanding that further detainees would be released in the coming weeks, signaling a positive step towards reconciliation.
Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan have a history of conflict, including two wars in the early 1990s and 2020 over the control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region predominantly populated by Armenians.
After a brief war in 2020, Russia brokered a ceasefire agreement, leading to the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. However, Armenia has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission.
Tensions escalated recently when Azerbaijan established a road checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin corridor, the only route connecting Armenia to the separatist enclave. The corridor has already been subjected to a blockade, causing shortages and power cuts.
Further talks between Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev are scheduled for June 1 in Moldova. The meeting will also involve French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, signifying the international community’s commitment to supporting the peace process in the region.
