On January 19, a meeting was held between Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Javier Colomina.

The sides discussed the main issues on the current agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, as well as regional and international issues, and the current situation in Lachin road.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the constant political dialogue between Azerbaijan and NATO promotes cooperation in various fields. It was mentioned that Azerbaijan's participation, as a country contributing to international peace and security, in NATO-led peacekeeping operations is the embodiment of the importance that the country attaches to cooperation in this area.

Minister informed Javier Colomina in detail about the course of the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the steps taken by Azerbaijan towards advancing the peace agenda, the military-political provocations of Armenia that undermine the peace process, and the continuation of the landmine threat.

Information was also provided on provocations in Lachin road that caused the protest of representatives of the civil society of Azerbaijan. He noted that the accusations of an alleged "blockade" of Armenian residents in the territories of Azerbaijan, a "humanitarian crisis" are groundless and do not reflect reality, and are aimed at hiding the facts of Armenia's misuse of the Lachin-Khankendi road, which is intended for humanitarian purposes only. Despite the unconstructive steps of the Armenian side, Azerbaijan is ready to hold the next negotiating meeting in a short time and is determined to advance the peace agenda.

Speaking about the provocations that caused the protests of the representatives of the Azerbaijani civil society around the Lachin road, Minister said that the unfounded claims about the “blockade” of the Armenian residents in the territories of Azerbaijan, the situation reaching the level of a “humanitarian crisis” are groundless and do not reflect reality, and pointed out that these steps are nothing more than concealing the facts of abuse of the Lachin road, which is intended to be used only for humanitarian purposes by the Trilateral Statement of November 10, 2020, and harming the negotiations on the peace agenda.

Despite the destructive steps of the Armenian side, it was stated that Azerbaijan is ready to hold the next meeting on negotiations as soon as possible and is determined to advance the peace agenda.

NATO Secretary General's Special Representative said that mutual visits contribute to the development of cooperation. Noting with satisfaction the participation of Azerbaijan in peacekeeping operations within NATO, he stressed that Azerbaijani peacekeepers played an important role in the evacuation at the Kabul International Airport. It was noted with satisfaction that the cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO is also developing in other areas, including energy security, education, and others. It was noted that tensions in the region are of concern, and the importance of continuing the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia for the establishment of peace and security was emphasized.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.