Eastern Partnership Foreign Affairs Minister’s meeting

11 December 2023

Brussels

High Representative Josep Borrell,

Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi,

Distinguished colleagues,

At the outset, I express my gratitude to the organizers of this ministerial meeting. It is a good opportunity to review where we stand with regard to the Eastern Partnership and to decide on next steps.

Since inception of the EaP, Azerbaijan has always advocated that there have been notable differences amongst EaP Partners in terms of their domestic situations, economic development and foreign policies. We believed that the EaP priorities also need to be in line with the realities of the region and ongoing regional initiatives. For Azerbaijan the EaP has always been a framework supporting and complementing our bilateral relations with the EU.

Although on numerous occasions and in documents, the EaP highlighted a need for differentiation and tailor-made approach in the relations with Partners, in reality the EU has yet to bring these principles into a sub-regional context, including in view of ample opportunities in the South Caucasus for development of transport and communication links.

We still believe that with right approach and adaptation to the regional development trends, the EaP can contribute positively to the cooperation and engagement of the EU with the region. It is high time to invest in the viability instead of visibility of the EaP.

We fully support and encourage synergies with the Central Asian partners in line with the EU-Central Asia Strategy and with the aim to enhance regional transport, energy and digital connectivity. We support and encourage potential participation of Central Asian partners in relevant EaP events, and vice versa.

We also believe that greater engagement with the Western Balkans will be useful to build more resilient and interconnected region.

The expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor and delivery of additional gas volumes, as well as potential export of green energy to Europe remains our priority. We are investing a lot into green energy transition. At the COP28 in Dubai Summit, the Government of Azerbaijan joined the Global Pledge to triple renewable capacity and double energy efficiency worldwide by 2030. The SOCAR announced its 2050 “net-zero” goal and signed Global Decarbonization Act. Moreover, the support of Azerbaijan’s bid to host COP29 next year is acknowledgement of my country’s sustainable policy and strategy on climate action and green energy transition.

There is a good progress on Black Sea Submarine Cable project, so-called “Middle Green Corridor.” At the meeting of the Parties in Budapest an agreement was reached to start process of Bulgaria’s accession to the project. I am glad to note a great interest to this initiative from the Central Asian countries.

Increased transit flows through the Middle Corridor via the territory of Azerbaijan, including transit of critical materials (note: uranium), reinforces the Middle Corridor as a sustainable, secure and reliable route.

Digitalization of the Middle Corridor is critical in providing transparency and facilitating transit. Within the Digital Silk Way – new fiber-optic infrastructure between Asia and Europe – we are actively working with our partners in Central Asia and Black Sea region. The digital transformation can be a horizontal priority within the EaP.

We will engage closely with our partners in Georgia, Romania and Turkmenistan to enhance cooperation along the Black Sea-Caspian Sea international cargo transport route.

Azerbaijan is also interested in resumption and soonest conclusion of the negotiations on Azerbaijan-EU new bilateral agreement. The progress and successful outcome require goodwill and compromise from both sides.

Dear colleagues,

Azerbaijan’s position on normalization with Armenia is based on international law, and principled and consistent. Our determination is steadfast to continue this process, which was initiated by Azerbaijan and carried forward proactively in past three years.

Historic window of opportunity has opened with the end of 30-year-long occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories. Mutual recognition of and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is the only way towards sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus.

We call upon all EU institutions and EU Member States to extend full constructive support, or at least to refrain from actions, which might harm this vital process of normalization, as we unfortunately have seen in the context of a cancelled meeting between leaders in Granada. We regret this, since the process had been helpful in bringing the parties’ positions closer.

Azerbaijan has communicated its legitimate concerns comprehensively and openly. Yet, in many cases we still see non-constructive actions.

With respect to the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, initial promises were not honored, understandings were broken, and the mandate was arbitrarily expanded. It proved to be unable to deliver on its declared purposes of contributing to stability in the region and confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Rather, it is being widely exploited as an anti-Azerbaijani propaganda tool.

There are even more destabilizing initiatives, such as arming Armenia, including through the EU. Adverse effects of such initiatives on EU credibility as an “honest broker,” and in general, on normalization efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia are unavoidable. Arming, or otherwise exploiting one partner against the other can by no means be aligned with the declared purposes of the Eastern Partnership, either.

In view of mentioned challenges, I once again call all relevant actors to cease harming normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We must all work together to transform the South Caucasus from an area of confrontation into area of cooperation, based on European experience.

We reiterate our offer of equal and just peace to Armenia, and call for working bilaterally, or through good offices of any impartial and neutral third party. We expect reciprocal genuine dedication by Armenia. The benefits of peace and good-neighborly relations must not be sacrificed to some short-sighted geopolitical manipulations.

By focusing on shared interests, determination and mutual respect and benefits, we can build a more prosperous, stable, and interconnected EaP region.

Thank you.